AFTER wet weather left revellers stuck in the mud at last year's Truck Festival, organisers are looking forward to some fun in the sun this year.

Temperatures are expected to exceed 25C throughout the weekend as 12,000 people flock to the site at Hill Farm, Steventon, near Didcot.

Bicester Advertiser:

Gates opened yesterday afternoon as music fans pitched their tents on a Thursday for the first time at the festival.

Over the next few days festival-goers will have more than 100 acts to choose from, including headliners George Ezra, Friendly Fires and Courteeners.

Bicester Advertiser:

With the longest Truck ever underway, organisers declared the site looked 'brilliant' and festival director Matt Harrap predicted the good weather would contribute to an unforgettable few days.

He said: "We’ve opened doors on the Thursday for the first time ever, the sun is shining and people are already pitching tents and getting ready for a whole three and a half days of Truck.

Bicester Advertiser:

"We've sold out for the third year in a row and are extremely excited about our headliners and all the activities taking place this year."

This year marks Truck's 21st anniversary, with Steventon brothers and festival founders Robin and Joe Bennett bringing their old band Goldrush back together for a reunion.

The festival has taken many different forms since its first edition in 1998 and organisers have made several changes in the last 12 months.

Traffic problems, described as 'chaos' by residents, marred the first day of the 2017 festival and event organisers Global Festivals will hope they join the rain in not returning this year.

Bicester Advertiser:

A new traffic management plan is in place to avoid a repeat of last year’s problems, which saw two and a half mile queues and gridlock on the surrounding roads.

This will be tested most extensively this morning, when the majority of revellers converge on south Oxfordshire ahead of the weekend's festivities.

There was more motor misery for drivers at the end of the weekend as approximately 100 vehicles were rescued by response teams when heavy rain turned the site into mud.

Days after the festival the farmer who owns the site raised questions about Truck's future after accusing organisers of making it far too commercial at the expense of charities.

But with this summer one of the hottest on record and last year's problems hopefully solved, 2018 should be all about the music.

In addition to the big names closing down the Truck stage each night, six stages will see a mix of world-famous acts like DJ Sub Focus and old-timers on the Veterans & Virgins stage.

Last night early entrants were treated to a performance by indie rock band Peace to kick off the festival in style.

As Truck 2018 enters full flow, the weather may again be the main talking point - but this time in a positive way.