Reading raises capacity at this year's festival by 3,500

Reading Borough Council also agreed to raise capacity by 3,500 last year

Three-and-a-half thousand extra tickets are going on sale for this year's Reading Festival on the August Bank Holiday weekend.

The local borough council has agreed to increase the capacity to 82,000 paying customers plus nearly 5,000 guests.

The new tickets go on sale at 10am on Saturday 24 July.

Lostprophets, Paramore, a reformed Libertines and Dizzee Rascal are all appearing at the festival, which takes place between 27-29 August.

This year's headliners are Guns N' Roses, Arcade Fire and Blink-182.

Waiting list

Melvin Benn, Managing Director of Festival Republic, said: "Once again I would like to thank the council for its continued support of Reading Festival and for its help in ensuring Reading Festival maintains its pole position as the greatest rock festival in the world.

"I am aware that there is a large waiting list and this will go some way to meet some of that demand albeit there are absolutely no early birds left."

Reading Festival is also piloting a new scheme this year which restricts when fans can bring alcohol onto the site.

The new rules will prevent festival-goers from bringing their own booze into the venue after 6pm on the Sunday (29 August).

Firewood and campfires will also be monitored.

The measures have been brought in order to combat unsociable behaviour and ensure safety.

There will also be an increased police and security presence but the trial will not affect the corresponding Leeds festival on the same weekend.