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Isle of Wight Festival-goers enjoy weather respite Extra police drafted in at Isle of Wight Festival
(about 6 hours later)
Isle of Wight Festival-goers have enjoyed clear weather and a night of music following recent heavy rain. Up to 50 extra police officers have been sent to the Isle of Wight Festival because weather conditions are expected to worsen.
Performers such as Feeder, Elbow, Lana Del Rey and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers took to the stage with minor delays. They will join the 100 police officers and staff on site and will help assist revellers heading home on Sunday.
But audiences had a two-hour wait before the walkway to the main festival site was opened at 16:00 BST on Friday. Hampshire's Chief Constable, Alex Marshall, said the rainfall had had an "unprecedented impact".
The festival site is covered in thick mud, with rain and winds expected later. Audiences had a two-hour wait before the walkway to the main festival site was opened at 16:00 BST on Friday.
Emma Dobson, of Tavistock, Devon, called the conditions "horrific". Mr Marshall said: "It was a wet and muddy start for many campers this year but thankfully the weather did not seem to dampen the festival spirit on site.
"Walking back to the actual campsite I got my wellies stuck and I had to physically pull my boots out of the mud," she said. "I'd ask that those heading home by car drive sensibly and carefully. Due to the volume of traffic on the site drivers should expect some delays and we would ask you to be patient and remain with your vehicles, as the organisers work to get you home.
"It smells dodgy as well so I don't know what's been going into it.
"But it's all good fun. You can laugh about it."
The mud is like walking through the thickest, stickiest chocolate fudge cake you could ever imagine.The mud is like walking through the thickest, stickiest chocolate fudge cake you could ever imagine.
The scene is best captured in the sea of abandoned shoes and wellington boots that didn't quite make the walk home last night.The scene is best captured in the sea of abandoned shoes and wellington boots that didn't quite make the walk home last night.
Tents have been abandoned, some people have gone home, yet the majority of festival-goers remain, sporting the now customary uniform of wellies, sunglasses and a smile.Tents have been abandoned, some people have gone home, yet the majority of festival-goers remain, sporting the now customary uniform of wellies, sunglasses and a smile.
Natalie Vincent, from Plymouth, said that Thursday was "horrendous, just the worst day ever". "The unprecedented impact the rain had on the site brought with it a unique challenge in the festival's 11-year history."
"It's like you're sinking in mud and you need to pick your feet up two feet just to move" she said. On Friday, performances from the likes of Feeder, Elbow, Lana Del Rey and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were subject only to minor delays.
She credited alcohol and tea as helping her cope with the conditions. Taka Hirose, bassist with Feeder, said the field was almost empty when his band began their set.
He said: "We were a bit worried, obviously, being on so early, and obviously there was also a problem with the doors opening late.
"So we tried to shorten our set and go on later, but I think they let us have five minutes later, but after three songs it suddenly filled up and by the end it was heaving."
BBC South weather forecaster Alexis Green warned the heavy rain is expected to return, moving in from south-west.BBC South weather forecaster Alexis Green warned the heavy rain is expected to return, moving in from south-west.
She said: "We are expecting between 15-20mm of rain, around an inch.She said: "We are expecting between 15-20mm of rain, around an inch.
"It's not just the rain which will be a problem. The winds will be strong overnight, about 25-30 knots (30mph).""It's not just the rain which will be a problem. The winds will be strong overnight, about 25-30 knots (30mph)."
The mud led to access problems on Thursday night leaving thousands unable to get into car parks. Emma Dobson, of Tavistock, Devon, called the conditions "horrific".
Motorists queued for up to 10 hours to access the site. "Walking back to the actual campsite I got my wellies stuck and I had to physically pull my boots out of the mud," she said.
"It smells dodgy as well so I don't know what's been going into it.
"But it's all good fun. You can laugh about it."
Problems began on Thursday morning when the main car park had become waterlogged from heavy rain overnight.Problems began on Thursday morning when the main car park had become waterlogged from heavy rain overnight.
Organisers were forced to open extra fields and bring in metal tracks so vehicles could be directed to overflow car parks. Many had to be towed because of the mud.Organisers were forced to open extra fields and bring in metal tracks so vehicles could be directed to overflow car parks. Many had to be towed because of the mud.
Festival organiser John Giddings said: "We did everything within our power but as soon as that 24-hour rain came down it became horrendous.
"I'm really very sorry, I can only apologise. It's going to be a great weekend, don't give up on us."
Mr Giddings said plans were also being put in place for people leaving on Sunday.
Tractor assistance
He said: "The police want an emergency plan from me as to how I am going to get people off on Sunday.
"I'll have tractors and people ready to take people off."
Earlier in the day, speaking on BBC Radio Solent, Mr Giddings had indicated he might be prepared to provide people with a refund because of the traffic issues.
But he later said there was no reason to give any money back as the festival was under way and people could get there easily.
Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, Noel Gallagher and Madness are amongst the acts set to play the festival.