THE curtain came down on another V Festival in Essex last night after the event revisited the 1990s glory days of “Madchester”.

The Stone Roses headlined the festival in Hylands Park, Chelmsford, and also appearing at the event were Salford act Happy Mondays, and Noel Gallagher – a fellow Mancunian who was inspired by the Roses – and his High Flying Birds.

The split-site festival, now in its 17th year, is run across two days at the Essex venue, and Weston Park in Staffordshire.

Revellers were treated to searing sunshine throughout Sunday, although X Factor judge Tulisa Contostavlos bemoaned the British weather as the heavens opened during her performance yesterday.

The singer appeared on the main stage at Hylands Park just as a heavy rain shower began to fall. The sun returned by the end of Tulisa’s set, however, as revellers enjoyed a second day of music at the Virgin Media-sponsored festival.

Also performing at the event were Sir Tom Jones and Snow Patrol. Las Vegas headlining band The Killers closed the Chelmsford part of the festival.

Stars attending the event included One Direction heartthrobs Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Liam Payne, minus bandmate Zayn Malik. The What Makes You Beautiful boyband stayed in a special tent in Hylands Park designed to resemble a London Underground train.

Meanwhile, Essex Police said last night they had arrested a total of 51 people on suspicion of drug offences at Hylands Park.

They say the arrests were the result of pro-active drug operations.

A total of 15 people were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply, 22 on suspicion of possession offences and 14 on suspicion of supply offences.

Five people have been charged, five issued cannabis warnings and 13 have been given cautions.

No further action has been taken against two of those arrested. The remainder have either been released on bail pending further enquiries until dates in October and November 2012 or are still to be dealt with.