Things are hotting up at V Festival

Temperatures were expected to soar this afternoon as more than 85,000 fans enjoyed the best of British and American music at the annual V Festival.

Forecasters said temperatures in the county were expected to reach about 23C (73F) today while elsewhere in the country thermometers could soar to 32C (89.6F) making today the hottest day of the year.

• Click on the image to the right for more V Festival fan photos

Sunshine and showers had been predicted for V Festival at Weston Park, near Shifnal, earlier this week but the advice now is to leave the wellies at home and bring sun lotion – at least today.

A few light showers could dampen the atmosphere tomorrow morning but warm sunshine is expected to return in the afternoon.

The two-day festival will feature some of the biggest bands from both sides of the Atlantic, with American rockers The Killers headlining tonight while Snow Patrol will be second on the bill.

Student Wendy Scott, 20, of Monkmoor, Shrewsbury, said she was looking forward to her second V Festival.

"Last year was amazing, with Eminem, but the line-up this year is even better," she said. "I can't wait to see Nicki Minaj and everybody wants to see The Stone Roses, they're legends."

Fans were continuing to arrive at the showground today, after tens of thousands arrived yesterday from all corners of the UK.

Police said the event had got off to a peaceful start, with revellers getting on to the site quickly and efficiently.

The event will feature some of the biggest names in pop and rock, from both sides of the Atlantic.

Big name acts, include r'n'b star Tinie Tempah, evergreen singer Tom Jones, eighties stars Madness, reality star Olly Murs, Tulisa and The Stranglers.

Other stages across the arena were welcoming acts including Nicki Minaj, LMFAO, Noah and the Whale, Frank Turner, The Enemy, Nero, Happy Mondays, Pixie Lott, The Human League, and The Australian Pink Floyd.

Some of the biggest names in stand-up comedy will also line up tonight, including Sean Lock, Milton Jones, Nathan Caton and Chris Distefano.

Tomorrow's line up will feature The Stone Roses, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, Example, Keane, James Morrison, Emeli Sande, Rodrigo Y Gabriela and The Proclaimers.

It will also feature David Guetta, Friendly Fires, Ben Howard, Rizzle Kicks, Ed Sheeran, Professor Green and The Ting Tings.

There will also be big name comedians including Doc Brown, Rob Rouse, Mike Gunn and Damian Clarke.

Police were working with stewards on the site to prevent crime and make sure festival-goers could enjoy the fun in safety. On-site CCTV was in use, including infra-red cameras, so that officers could be directed to suspicious incidents.

Today Superintendent Dave Holdway, one of the event commanders, urged festival goers to play their part in remaining safe from crime.

He said: "We are well-used to looking after thousands of people who come to V, but it's important for everyone to do their bit in protecting their valuables.

"The cameras will let us target the small minority of people who come to commit crime and to reduce the chance of offences taking place.

"Our message to criminals is that we will be watching you and you will be arrested if you are caught on camera.

"We hope the cameras will be a reassurance to festival-goers so they feel safe in the knowledge that we will be working to further reduce crime at this event."

Festival-goers are encouraged to follow @StaffsPolice on Twitter for crime prevention advice, or visit www.facebook.com/staffordshirepolice

Police issued a number of crime prevention tips, urging people to make sure their valuables were safe and not on display.

They advised people travelling in cars to lock their vehicles, leave nothing inside, fit a steering lock or set the alarm and leave their sat nav at home.

People who are camping were urged not to leave valuables in their tents, pick out a landmark to help them find your tent among the 30,000 others and make sure they are not the victims of night-time thefts by keeping valuables close to them while sleeping.

Revellers have also been warned to steer clear of drugs. A spokesman for Staffordshire Police added: "Drugs aren't welcome at V. If people take them, or deal them, we'll catch and prosecute them."