The 20th edition of one of the country’s biggest festivals, hosted in Essex, has been hailed a success, organisers have said.

East Anglian Daily Times: Olly Murs performed at V FestivalOlly Murs performed at V Festival

Revellers descended on Hylands Park, Chelmsford, over the weekend to celebrate V Festival’s 20th birthday party.

The festival, which is also held in Weston Park, Staffordshire, saw more than a quarter of million people combined visit the two sites during the weekend.

The weather was a differing tale though – festival-goers basked in glorious sunshine on Saturday as temperatures neared 30C, topping up sunscreen throughout the day while numerous bars provided the opportunity to cool down.

However, today was a differing tale, as the clouds gathered, and the umbrellas and raincoats came out – although that didn’t dampen spirits for those celebrating the big bash.

On Saturday, Imelda May opened the main stage, with performances from Annie Mac, Courteeners and global superstar Sam Smith, who declared V Festival as his favourite on the calendar before Leicester-based rock outfit Kasabian closed the stage.

There were other performances from Uptown Funk star Mark Ronson, who played a DJ set and Witham’s Olly Murs.

On the MTV Stage, there was a happy moment as singer and producer Labrinth proposed to his long-term girlfriend, who said yes.

There was also exclusive news for those watching Welsh singer Tom Jones, who introduced Imelda May to the stage for a duet, which ended with him announcing they would be releasing an album together later this year.

Yesterday, platinum-selling singer-songwriter and producer Calvin Harris closed the festival, following performances from Ellie Goulding, The Proclaimers, Scouting for Girls, Stereophonics and De La Soul.

There was also comedy over the weekend, with comedians including Russell Kane, Shappi Khorsandi, Seann Walsh and Frankie Boyle providing the laughs.

Bob Angus, festival director, who had been on site all weekend, said: “It’s been absolutely fantastic.

“I personally had a great time.

“When you do this you’re building something – you’re building the equivalent of a small town in just two weeks.

“Sometimes you fret about these things and when I come here I want to enjoy myself and I have done.

“Sam Smith was great, Tom (Jones) was fantastic and I loved Olly Murs.

“It’s the 20th one – it seems like a minute ago it was the first one.

“We’re looking forward to 21 – that’s the big one.

“We are confirmed to go with 21 in terms of how it works although it’s too early to actually know.

“We have put some feelers out but we’re not close to closing in on anyone.

“When we’re looking for headliners we go out in the market and we go for the strongest and best stuff out there.

“It’s trying to get that eclectic mix – we’d like to think it’s a reflection of popular culture, and we’re not ashamed of it either.

“As long as people have a good time, that’s the message.”