Festival-goers prepare for Prince at Hop Farm

Thousands of revellers are expected to attend the first day of a non-branded sponsor-free festival today.

The Hop Farm Festival near Paddock Wood in Kent prides itself on being independent, with no VIP areas and a back-to-basics style.

Up to 30,000 music fans are expected to attend the event, with the Eagles, Morrissey and Prince headlining each of the three days.

This year the family-friendly festival offers a particularly eclectic line-up, with Tinie Tempah, Lou Reed and Manu Chao also playing.

The festival - in its fourth year - was extended to a third day with Prince's inclusion on the bill.

Sunday night will see the Purple Rain singer play his first UK show for four years after dazzling audiences when he played a 21-date residency at the O2 Arena in London in 2007.

Festival organiser Vince Power said: "I am really excited about having Prince at the Hop Farm.

"We have worked hard to get the third day up and running and we hope that fans will appreciate the integrity of the bill and see it's one of the most musically-exciting this year that stands head and shoulders above a lot of other festivals."