SO festival-goers will be wombling free this year it seems.

The Wombles, the band made up of pointynosed furry fictional characters, are to reform for a one-off special appearance at Glastonbury in the summer.

While not quite as exciting as the earlier announcements of appearances from U2 and Stevie Wonder, I predict Great Uncle Bulgaria, Orinoco and their burrowing pals will be a massive draw on the coveted Sunday afternoon slot on the Pyramid Stage.

The characters, who helped keep Wimbledon Common clean in the kids TV favourite show in the ‘70s, will even help the festival’s green credentials as they’re likely to stick around for a litter pick.

And the idea of them hanging out backstage with Bono is just a wonderful image.

Dorset’s Camp Bestival set the furry character trend with Mr Tumble proving a massive hit last year and it seems other festivals are now getting in on the act.

Bestival, of course, is dubbed the mini Glastonbury so I expect an equally impressive announcement sometime soon.

As a child of the 80s, my first choice would be the band from Fraggle Rock.

But the organisers of this wonderfully bonkers festival will have to go to some lengths to make it a madder experience than last year.

■ WE had fun at Echo HQ this week when two of my Chippendales pals paid us a visit. Lind and Alex were great fun and enjoyed themselves kissing all of the girls in the office. The lads are causing quite a stir in the city where scantily clad full length marketing images have been reported missing from phone boxes. See for yourselves at The Mayflower until tomorrow night.