Bestival 2013: Festival-goers enjoy the sunny weather before impending heavy rain

Heavy rain is forecast for Friday with the 'odd rumble of thunder'

Revellers heading to join one of the last big parties of the summer at Bestival are making the most of the sunshine today before the chill of autumn turns up tomorrow.

The 60,000 music fans catching ferries to the Isle of Wight for the sell-out festival did not need their wellies, coats or umbrellas with temperatures hitting 25 degrees in glorious sunshine.

But they are likely to be in for a rude surprise by tomorrow morning as the forecast is for the mercury to descend to 16 degrees, with heavy rain to add to the mix.

Click here or on 'view gallery' for more photos of Bestival arrivals

A spokesman for MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said: “It's going to be very unsettled on Friday with heavy rain and the odd rumble of thunder. But what will be noticeable is that it will be much cooler than today.

“It will remain unsettled over the weekend and cool, but Saturday and Sunday will be better with some sunshine.”

The event is celebrating its 10th anniversary, with headline acts from Elton John, Snoop Dogg and Fatboy Slim.

Sir Elton's performance at Bestival had been put in doubt earlier this summer when he suffered appendicitis but the 66-year-old has pledged to be there.

The event, which is run by Radio 1 DJ Rob da Bank and his illustrator wife Josie, has become famous for its fancy dress parade and colourful set designs.

Other bands appearing during the weekend will be M.I.A., Franz Ferdinand, The Flaming Lips, Wu-Tang Clan, Chic featuring Nile Rodgers and Bombay Bicycle Club.

But as well as the 350 acts performing during the four days, a variety of entertainment is being put on across the festival's 10 fields including dancing lessons in the Spiegeltent, talks and demonstrations on developing eco-technologies in the Tomorrow's World field and comedy in the Amphitheatre.

There will also be a giant sculpture of Lionel Richie's head which was created using Kickstarter crowd-sourced funding by Hungry Castle.

Bestival has adopted a nautical theme this year which will be used for its fancy dress parade that passes through the site on Saturday afternoon.

As well as the normal festival camping, Bestival also offers luxury options from pre-pitched tent providers Tangerine Fields as well as the Boutique Campsites which provide a variety of options from yurts and tepees to “Beryl The Bespoke Bus”.

There is also a spa with wood-powered hot tub and sauna provided by Bathing under the Sky.

Bestival runs from tomorrow to Sunday at Robin Hill Country Park.

PA