THE skies opened this morning as hundreds of keen music fans arrive in the rain for the start of Reading Festival.

Rail strikes and foul weather may be predicted over the Bank Holiday weekend but the spirits of thousands of music fans are unlikely to be dampened.

Early bird ticket holders will be pouring into the Richfield Avenue site from today as the sold-out event sees 90,000 people flock to Reading.

Chris Webber, the University of Reading's festival weather blogger, said: "The chances that you will need your wellies is high – those ankle-high versions just might not cut it. "Likelihood of needing your sunnies? Currently looking depressingly low."

With the bulk of festival goers arriving in the next few days the planned weekend rail strikes from RMT Union members of First Great Western will leave most coming into the town unaffected.

But Superintendent Stan Gilmour of Thames Valley Police is encouraging people to check before they travel to ensure the town is not overrun with extra cars.

He said: "Because of the rail strike people need to check with their operators before they travel but everyone doesn't need to think 'I better drive'.

"It is a town centre festival and there really is not the provision for that many people to drive.

"Even if there is a strike they can still get fairly frequent trains in Reading."

Councillor Tony Page, lead member for transport at Reading Borough Council, also showed concern that a rail strike - due to last from Saturday to Monday - could lead to traffic nightmares.

He said: "Whilst a fantastic event for the town, the Reading Festival always brings with it additional demands on our already busy road network.

"If the planned rail strike goes ahead, there will be substantial additional pressure this year, which will inevitably affect local residents travelling around Reading, "As always, the Council will work alongside organisers to help minimise delays as far as possible, but we strongly advise people to use public transport if at all possible."

The fruit and veg aisles of the Tesco supermarket in West Reading have been turned into the alcohol section with pallets laden with multi-packs of beer waiting for the festival goers to pick them up.