Michael Eavis on Glastonbury 2003

After last years success with the new fence and controlling numbers (and how many people said it would never work?) there are still improvements being made. The fence will be back, and security presence outside and in the local villages will be significantly increased, to ensure that the impact of the festival is minimised for local residents.

An important new challenge for the festival this year is to maintain its environmental integrity. As Glastonbury Festival organiser Michael Eavis explains: "Our main problem now is the environmental impact on the land we use. We have had some problems over pollution of the river which flows through the site. Every effort has now to be made to prevent people using ditches and hedges. Urine is a huge pollutant and kills fishes. I appeal to all who come to the festival to help us save the lives of all the creatures in the river. Then we can hold our heads up high and be pleased about all the things the festival achieves."

Last year's successful Festival enabled good causes to benefit - for the first time payments to these groups passed the £1 million mark!

Because it's not being revealed until June Michael Eavis won't talk about the line-up, but he's upbeat: "I am more excited than ever about what we have in store this year – particularly the bands – but other areas too are developing towards daring proportions!"

After last year's "No Ticket No Festival" message worked so well and saved the Festival for our future enjoyment, we need to do it again! The message this year is "you've helped save the Festival - now give it a future" - and we ALL need to do this; this year it really is acceptable to nag your mates and get it through to them: DON'T PISS IN THE HEDGES - USE THE TOILETS!

eFestivals has the best rumours listing (of course!), so you can get a good idea right now of some of the bands you'll see. Click here.

Tickets are on sale today from 9am. Click here for all the ticket information, and to buy online.

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