The Prodigy, Metallica prepare to rock Download Festival

The Prodigy, a re-formed Black Sabbath and Metallica are preparing to headline this year's Download rock Festival.

The three-day event, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, takes place at Donington Park near Derby.

Biffy Clyro, Soundgarden, Chase & Status, Tenacious D, You Me At Six, Trivium, Anthrax, Machine Head, Slash, Megadeth, Steel Panther, NOFX and Black Label Society are also due to perform.

Slipknot singer Corey Taylor is playing an acoustic set.

Promoters will be hoping the weather won't affect the weekend too much.

Rain and strong winds are forecast for the Midlands today (8 June) with a mixture of sunshine and showers for the rest of the weekend.

Many of the bands at Thursday's Kerrang! awards said they were excited about playing at Download.

"The festival is great - it's the biggest party ever," said former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash.

"I've always loved festivals. I always thought it was the greatest concept to get a bunch of groups together to perform all weekend.

"It's the last great vestige of rock 'n' roll right now."

Dan Flint from Surrey rockers You Me At Six, who headline the second stage on Saturday, said they were hoping for a good turn out for their set - despite facing stiff competition.

"We're playing at the same time as Metallica, so I'm not sure what to expect.

"I know some of us would like to be watching that. It's a difficult one. We've played the festival before and it was great and the fact that we've been asked to headline a stage is amazing."

Last year's headliners were Linkin Park, System of a Down and Def Leppard.

The main stage has been named after Jim Marshall, the guitar amp pioneer who died in April.

An estimated 120,000 fans will attend the festival over three days.

Other bands taking part include Kids in Glass Houses, Refused, Axewound, LostAlone and Lower Than Atlantis.