Music lovers begin exodus to Leeds Festival

THOUSANDS of festival-goers were yesterday heading for one of the musical highlights of the year – but the weather forecasters are predicting mixed weather ahead over the Bank Holiday weekend for people at the Leeds and Reading festivals.

Downpours have so far left those in the South faced with the traditional festival problem of ploughing through heavy mud but those arriving at the Bramham Park site, near Leeds, have so far escaped the worst.

West Yorkshire Police said a major traffic operation for the festival had so far gone smoothly without any significant congestion.

But elsewhere there was severe congestion after accidents caused the closure of two motorways.

The southbound carriageway of the A1(M) near Boroughbridge in North Yorkshire was closed at around 5pm after an accident involving a Suzuki Swift car and a Mercedes Sprinter van.

One casualty was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary with serious injuries while two others were taken to Harrogate Hospital by ambulance.

Traffic backed up for several miles after the motorway was closed between junction 48 and 47 throughout the evening rush-hour period.

Earlier, the northbound carriageway of the M18, between junction one and two in South Yorkshire, was closed for about five hours after a lorry crashed through the central reservation. at 7.30am. No-one was seriously injured.

Leeds is likely to have sunny spells today with chances of showers while tomorrow will see a mix of sunshine and showers.