GENERALLY speaking, fields in Hampshire aren't the coolest places around. They might be nice to walk your dog through or have a picnic in but a magnet for trendy clubbers they aren't.

But once a year the Materley Bowl, near Winchester, is transformed into the most desirable clubbing venue in the land, thanks to Homelands.

This year's festival - We Love... Homelands 2003 - will see 35,000 clubbers, 60 DJs and 11 live acts get together for a 17-hour party.

The festival, which starts at 1pm tomorrow, features nine arenas, playing every brand of dance music.

The event organisers make a point of avoiding artificial genre distinctions, for instance between mainstream and underground dance, and clubbers can look forward to partying to an eclectic mix of music.

With so many acts performing there will be plenty of highlights but the Live Arena will feature many of the best known

performers.

Groove Armada will be headlining in the Live Arena. Known as purveyors of chill-out music thanks to such tracks as At the River, the group are equally capable of shaking things up.

Brit nominee Mike Skinner, aka The Streets, will also be performing a live set, as will Kosheen, Junior Senior and several other acts.

Arena One is home to the superstar DJs and will feature many of the biggest names around, including The Chemical Brothers who will be performing a staggering two-hour set. Award-winning DJ Paul Oakenfold, who has recently remixed Madonna, J-Lo and Justin Timberlake's tracks, will also be appearing in Arena One, as will Sasha and John Digweed.

If you prefer house music, head for Arena Two, where Roger Sanchez, Pete Tong and Lottie will be among the DJs behind the decks.

There will also be arenas devoted to drum 'n' bass, techno, fusion, Balearic beats and more, featuring the likes of Grandmaster Flash, DJ Marky, 2 Many DJs and Jeff Mills.

The Radio One Outdoor Arena will be headlined by Fergie. Dave Pearce, Judge Jules and Seb Fontaine will also be broadcasting live from Homelands on Radio One.

So buff up your sunglasses, put on your waterproof raving gear, prepare yourself for the inevitable mud and get ready for the biggest, longest and best party you've ever been to.

May 24, 1pm-6am. Tickets: £49 in advance. Box office: 020 7344 0044 or visit www.meanfiddler.com or www.ticketmaster.co.uk.