Glastonbury is returning for 2003

Event founder Michael Eavis said "a spanking good presentation" had finally won over members of Mendip District Council in Somerset.

In December the council had refused permission for the festival because of concerns about crime and environmental damage, especially in Pilton and other nearby villages.

Organisers, who expect REM to headline on the first night, 27 June, have promised to improve security on the site and the local area.

Police patrols

Michael Eavis and his team at the meeting

After the decision was reached at 0110 GMT on Tuesday morning, Mr Eavis said: "I've never worked so hard as this in my life with getting people to come along and speak at the meeting.

"It was a really good meeting and we will now concentrate on the problems of the villages for this year's festival.

"No-one cares more about Pilton than I do."

The renewed licence application included plans to appoint a crime reduction team, a villages liaison manager, funding of extra police patrols and private security guards.

GLASTONBURY PLANS One less stage Crime reduction team Village liason manager Money for extra police in villages Car park clampdown Security fence

The Mean Fiddler organisation, which took over the running of the festival last year, said there would also be one less stage than originally planned and that unauthorised car parks would be targeted.

Trouble spots

Permission for the event was granted after seven hours of debate, at a meeting attended by about 100 people.

Avon and Somerset Police statistics showed 1,094 crimes were blamed on the festival last year, compared with 2,431 in 2000 and 2,074 in 1999.

A security fence must be built to keep out fans without tickets and Mr Eavis has also announced plans for closed-circuit TV cameras at known trouble spots.

THE LICENCE 112,500 weekend tickets 3,500 Sunday day passes 34,000 performers' passes 0030 curfew on Friday and Saturday Midnight curfew on Sunday

Last year saw the erection of a �1m "superfence" to keep out fans without tickets, after thousands jumped the fence at the 2000 event.

Melvin Benn of Glastonbury Festivals said: "I believe this is the most complete application that has ever been submitted for Glastonbury - a top-class festival which has become part and parcel of British culture."

Apart from REM, the other acts due to perform at the three-day event remain a closely-guarded secret.

But the Rolling Stones are rumoured to be on the bill.

Glastonbury raised �1m for charity last year, with money going to Oxfam, Greenpeace and WaterAid as well as causes in the local area.