Punk rock festival celebrates double milestone

The UK's longest-running punk festival will mark 50 years since the movement first emerged onto the British music scene.

The Rebellion Festival - which has been sold out for months -will showcase up to 300 acts across six stages at Blackpool Winter Gardens.

Organiser Jennie Russell-Smith said: "It's been bonkers... it is hard to believe we have been doing this for 30 years."

The four-day festival proper starts later but two run-up gigs and a party have already taken place this week.

Russell-Smith added: "We had Adam Ant on Tuesday which was amazing as well as Neville Staples of The Specials."

Initially known as Holidays In The Sun in a nod to the Sex Pistols single of the same name, the festival began in 1996, hosting X-Ray Spex, The Damned and Buzzcocks.

After a few years in nearby Morecambe, it returned to Blackpool 20 years ago.

This year's line-up of established bands includes Stiff little Fingers, Cock Sparrer, Sham 69, The Stranglers, The Bar Stool Preachers, Die Toten Hosen, UK Subs, Cockney Rejects, Slaughter and the Dogs.

Emerging acts appearing include Millie Manders and the Shutup, Maid of Ace, and Split Dogs.

The festival also incorporates a literary festival, radio station and art exhibition.

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