The biggest Homelands festival yet atCheesefoot Head, near Winchester, next summer, has been given the go-ahead by licensing chiefs.

As many as 50,000 are expected to descend on the city for the fifth annual dance music event. Organisers, Mean Fiddler, were granted a licence for up to 50,000 this year, but foot and mouth restrictions limited numbers to 30,000.

Taking place overnight on June 1st, the 18-hour event clashes with England's first World Cup match, which kicks-off at 6.30am on June 2nd. Mean Fiddler could seek an extension so revellers can watch on big screens.

Held in a natural bowl on the Matterley Estate, Homelands attracts over 100 DJs, playing in 12 arenas. Mean Fiddler plans to increase tent sizes and improve facilities to cater for increased crowds.

Inspector Mark Wise is in charge of policing the event. "We have no objections to the increased numbers. The last event ran smoothly. There were a few problems, but nothing that couldn't be ironed out.

"There have been questions about the cost of the police operation, but the Mean Fiddler organisation pays a substantial amount towards the cost."

Homelands also enjoys the support of New Alresford Town Council and parish councils in Tichborne and the Itchen Valley, which have raised no objections, providing traffic management plans remain.

Only four noise-related complaints were made during Homelands 2001, but a lone New Alresford resident is demanding a 50% cut in noise levels for 2002.