River Thames lowered for festival

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Parts of the River Thames were lowered by up to eight inches for this year's Reading Festival, it has been revealed.

Sections of the Reading site were under three feet of water just a few weeks ago following the floods in July.

The Environment Agency agreed to lower the level of the Thames by between seven and eight inches for about three miles alongside the venue.

The rock festival has attracted 80,000 music fans with bands like Razorlight and The Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Areas waterlogged

Parts of the site were still waterlogged after July's flooding and organisers had to close some camping areas as a result.

Melvin Benn, managing director of Festival Republic, which runs the festival said: "The work which has gone into preparing the site this year has been unprecedented.

"Much of the site was under water, and even the best areas for camping were waist-high in water just a few weeks ago.

"Despite the appalling weather this year, people arrived earlier than ever to camp on the site, which proves that Reading is much bigger than the weather."

On Sunday, The Smashing Pumpkins, Fall Out Boy, Klaxons and The Hold Steady are on stage.