Crowds weather showers as fun ends in a Blur

REVELLERS ditched their waterproofs and slapped on the sun cream yesterday as the weather held fair for the final day of T in the Park.

A crowd of 85,000 flocked to see Keane, Mogwai and the Pet Shop Boys top the bill at Scotland's largest annual music festival in Balado, Kinross-shire.

There had been fears that yesterday's headliners, Blur, would not play after guitarist Graham Coxon was taken to hospital hours before the band were due on stage.

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However, he was later discharged and after a last-minute dash to the festival grounds the Britpop veterans took centre stage an hour later than originally advertised.

Temperatures had soared on Saturday afternoon, with clear blue skies casting a heat haze over the main stage. However, winds picked up and the rain arrived on Saturday night, ensuring a soggy start to yesterday's festivities.

Among the festival-goers were Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy and his wife, Claire. Mr Murphy, who was at T in the Park for the first time, told The Scotsman: "It is great. The only difficulty is trying to juggle seeing everyone. Our must-sees are Blur and Elbow. I have heard a couple of songs by We Were Promised Jetpacks on CD so I am keen to see what they are like playing live."

Mr Murphy was spotted after former first minister Jack McConnell was seen applauding Lady Gaga's electrifying set on Saturday afternoon.

Other party-goers were also making the most of the festival. Sarah Tait, 18, a student at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, said: "This is my first time at T in the Park and I think it is brilliant. My highlights were Lady Gaga and Katy Perry; they were absolutely great.

"I will definitely be coming back to T in the Park, there is a great atmosphere, and it is a festival for everyone of all ages. You can really enjoy yourself and have a laugh. There is so much to do. The only downside is having to queue for everything and I am disappointed that The Game cancelled at the last minute."

Liam McLaughlin, 42, a drug and alcohol development worker from Dunfermline, said: "The weather has been excellent, even the rain didn't last very long. We were worried it was going to be a mudbath. My favourite act was James, I am a big fan of Laid and Sit Down."

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Alison McPate, 28, a nightclub manager from Glasgow, said: "My must-sees are Elbow, Snow Patrol and Keane. I was very worried about the weather, which is why I brought lots of bin bags with me, but I am surprised – it has turned out really nice."

George Kyle, head of sponsorship for the festival's partner, Tennent's Lager, said: "Once again, the 85,000-strong Balado faithful have done themselves proud. The quality of the acts on offer has been second to none on all 12 stages, with everyone clearly making the most of the sunshine and entertainment in the arena and campsite."

Chief Superintendent Craig Suttie of Tayside Police said 243 crimes had been reported in the main arena and campsite by yesterday afternoon.

Organisers said that some 58 people had been arrested over the course of the weekend.

Bob McGregor, T in the Park's medical co-ordinator, said 1,233 people had been treated at the first aid tent for minor injuries, many from trips and falls. More than 550 people were treated at the on-site hospital.

Ladyhawke cancelled her slot yesterday on the Red Bull Bedroom Jam Futures Stage due to ill health. The singer had to pull out of her set at the Oxegen Festival in Ireland because of severe fever and flu symptoms.

In a post on her Facebook page on Saturday, Adam Pendse, her tour manager, wrote: "Due to the nature of festivals and the current fear around the flu, the doctor thought it best she rest for the weekend and not expose her band, crew and other festival-goers to her bug."

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Swine flu has been a big concern for festival organisers, who announced before the gates opened on Thursday that teams of medics were standing by to test festival-goers displaying symptoms of the virus, with anyone testing positive being asked to leave the site.

Some 31 people were sent to hospital off-site to be treated for minor ailments, but festival medics refused to say if these were swine flu-related. A spokesman for the organisers insisted there had been no cases.

T in the Park: As it happened

Writers from The Scotsman, Scotland on Sunday and scotsman.com were out and about at T in the Park, posting updates on our live blog throughout the weekend. This is what happened.

T in the Park news and reviews

T in the Park pictures

T in the Park videos

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