Muse to head up V Festival

English rock band Muse will be one of the headlines at this year's V Festival, it was announced today.

The event, in the grounds of Weston Park and at Hylands, Park, Chelmsford, will be the band's only European festival appearances this year.

Tens of thousands of music fans will attend over the weekend of August 16 and 17. Tickets go on sale on March 7.

A festival spokeswoman said: "Muse, one of Britain's best live acts, will be headlining this year's V Festival. It will be their only European Festival appearance of 2008 so it's guaranteed to be a show stopping slot.

"This year's festival will bring both new and established talent to the stage to ensure an incredible line-up for all music fans."

Also this year, bands dreaming of stardom will have the chance to be one of two winning bands opening on the second stage. Festival sponsor Virgin Mobile is running a Road to V competition and details on how to enter will be released in coming months.

V Festival is now in its 13th year. Some of the world's greatest performers have graced the stages since it began, including Radiohead, Oasis and Coldplay.

Last year more than 80,000 travelled to the festival to see acts including The Killers, Snow Patrol and Foo Fighters perform. Tickets sold out within hours of going on sale.

Further details of this year's event are available at www.vfestival.com