An all-night music festival near Winchester, with expected crowds of 38,000, has won the backing of city council members, despite fears about violent crime and noise nuisance.

The Homelands 2003 concert will take place on the weekend of May 24th-25th on private land near Cheesefoot Head, between the A31 and A272 roads.

The event has been held at the site every year since 1998, when it was originally known as Creamfields.

None of the parish councils consulted by licensing chiefs raised strong objections. However, some residents have called the council to complain about the noise and increased traffic caused by the event.

In addition to complaints from residents, the council has received security warnings from the police.

Inspector Mark Wise, based at Alresford, is concerned about an increase in car break-ins and violent crime at last year's event.

"The unprecedented rise in the number of robbery offences (six) within the arena gives us some concern. This compares with one reported offence in 2001."

Improved security was a condition of granting the licence to London-based organisers, Mean Fiddler.

Ian Donaldson of Mean Fiddler, said: "We applied for the licence, and the council has granted it. We've no real comment besides that."