Eavis On Glastonbury License

Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis has claimed that the festival will never again lose its license, as it is too important to the surrounding economy.

The long standing event is a highlight of the British summer season, but lost its license in 2002 due to local concerns over crime. This decision was later over-turned, however. The festival was granted a four year license recently which secured its future until 2010.

"The local economy gets £100m a year so there's no discussion about not allowing the festival a licence any more," he said. "They're all on board now because everybody earns some money from it - there are seven farms I have to rent."

This year's Glastonbury boasted stunning performances from The Verve, Kings Of Leon and a host of others.

Michael Eavis did also reveal that he wanted to retire in 2000, but shelved those plans after the death of his wife. He told Radio 4's Desert Island Discs: "We'd agreed we were going to retire. And unfortunately Jean never made it.

"So I was more determined to carry it on because I didn't have a girlfriend or anything.