TICKET sales for the Nibley Festival have been so popular this year that the organisers have decided no tickets will be available on the gate.

Demand for Nibley, a not-for-profit music festival on the beautiful grounds of North Nibley Cricket Club, has surpassed even the organisers' expectations to the extent that for the first time they will not be allowing people to turn up and buy tickets on the day.

It is expected that 3,500 people will attend Nibley Festival on Saturday, July 2, that is 1,000 more than last year.

Organiser Chris Gordon said he has been overwhelmed by the response to the event this year, which has been ranked in the top 10 music festivals in the country by website Brit Events alongside Glastonbury and V Festival.

"It has just been incredible, tickets sales have gone absolutely crazy," said Chris.

"We will most definitely sell out before the event. The message we want to get out, especially to local people, is that they won’t be able to roll up on the day and get in. We simply won’t be able accommodate more people so we will have to turn them away, which will be a real shame."

The popularity of the festival, Chris believes, has all been down to the special ethos of the event, which is family friendly and volunteer run, whilst offering a fantastic line-up of up-and-coming bands.

Also this year former chart success ska band from the 1980s The Beat will be headlining.

"People have really bought into the idea of Nibley and love that it is not a commercial event," added Chris.

You can still buy tickets online at www.nibleyfestival.co.uk and at the North Nibley village shop.

If you can’t afford a ticket, but are willing to work for it, the organisers are still welcoming volunteers who will be given a free ticket. You will be expected to either help out during the event, setting-up, or clearing up the day after. To apply email volunteers@nibleyfestival.co.uk