U2 to headline Glastonbury festival

U2 have been confirmed as the headline act for the Glastonbury festival's 40th anniversary next year.

It will be their first appearance at the Somerset festival, which began in 1970.

The band confirmed that they will headline on the Pyramid stage at Worthy Farm in Pilton on Friday, June 25th, the opening night of the festival.

It will be the band's only scheduled performance in Britain or Ireland next year.  They will break off from a North American tour to play the festival which will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2010.

The bad news for U2 fans is that all 177,000 tickets for next year's festival sold out within hours of going on sale in October.  However, it likely to be broadcast by the BBC.

"I promised the best possible line-up for the show next year and the confirmation that U2 will play their first ever Glastonbury - and their first major festival gig since the early 1980s - is fantastic news," festival organiser Michael Eavis said.

"We've been trying for years and now we've finally made it happen. I'm sure they will pull out all the stops to make next year's Glastonbury the most memorable ever."

U2 promoter John Giddings said on Twitter: "It is true, U2 headline the Fri night @ Glastonbury. They fly back for the weekend in the middle of their US tour."

Mr Eavis (74), who runs the festival with his daughter Emily, has reportedly longed for U2 to perform at his 900-acre farm.

As the 2010 event marks its 40th anniversary, Mr Eavis has promised a line-up fit for the occasion.

The festival, which is as famous for its weather as for its music, has frequently descended into a mudbath in the past. In 2005, storms and flash flooding caused havoc at the site, with many festival-goers having to use their tents as makeshift boats to float around waterlogged areas. In 2007, more rain ensured a similar deluge, though a new draining system meant a repeat of 2005 was avoided.

Additional reporting: PA