Glastonbury Festival has been given the go-ahead to continue for the next six years.

For the first time, the council has granted the event a licence until 2016 without the need for a public hearing.

In the past, licences have been subject to hearings due to objections from the public, or concerns from bodies such as police, fire or ambulance services.

A council spokesman said the latest application had received few comments and almost no objections.

The spokesman, from Mendip District Council, said initial concerns from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service about fire provision on the site, at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, had been resolved.

The organisers have plans in place to help minimise disruption to motorists and locals as part of the licence after concerns about traffic last year, he added.

This year's festival is expected to take place on 25, 26 and 27 June.

The event will not be held in 2012 to allow the site to recover.</p

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Stevie Wonder is in talks with Glastonbury Festival for him to headline on Sunday night.

Festival organiser Michael Eavis said Muse may headline on Saturday. The rock band last headlined the event in 2004.

So far U2 are confirmed to headline the Pyramid Stage on the Friday night of the festival, which this year celebrates its 40th anniversary.

The festival will announce the full line-up shortly before the festival takes place between 25-27 June.

Mr Eavis made the comments during a Q&A session at an event production show in London. </p

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.