Latitude Festival founder vows to tackle traffic problems

The weekend started with a bang as Latitude Festival kicked off its 10th birthday celebrations.

Thousands of festival-goers flooded to Henham Park, near Southwold, and despite some traffic problems there was an upbeat mood across the site.

Comedian Alan Davies was given a warm welcome as he entertained a huge crowd at the comedy tent before Cumbrian rock-band Wild Beasts performed in the Obelisk Arena.

Festival founder Melvin Benn said he wanted to tackle the traffic problems and will consider opening the site for campers only on the Wednesday in the future.

He said: 'The fact there has been so much traffic is inexplicable.

'It is not good for the locals, it is not good for the festival.

'There will be a steward's inquiry because I am not happy about it.

'I am thinking about letting a limited number of people in to the camp site only on the Wednesday.'

Mr Benn had taken in one of his favourite artists singer-songwriter King Creosote and said he thought Noel Gallagher would show his qualities in the Sunday headline slot.

'It has been an extraordinary start.

'The fireworks on Thursday were fantastic, people really seemed to enjoy those.

'We have been blessed by the weather. Hundreds of people have been swimming in the lake which is great.'

Headliners Alt-J were set to complete their graduation up the stages with electronic act preceding them on the main stage.

Helen French, 51, from Haverhill, Suffolk, said: 'We have seen some interesting acts who we were not very familiar with. I'm really looking forward to seeing Noel Gallagher and the Manic Street Preachers as I have always wanted to see them.'

Jane Clark, 56, from London, said: 'It's the first time I have been. The space makes it really special with the lake and the woodland. It is a beautiful place to have a festival.'