THE ever-popular V Festival has become an annual event in everyone’s social calendar.

But did you know that the event is twenty years old this year.

Do you know all about the original concept behind one of the UK’s biggest and best music festivals?

With just days before the acts take to the stages in the city we take a look back in time thanks to the archives from V Festival.

The event first graced our city of Chelmsford back in August 1996 after a certain band member called for the chance to play to huge crowds in an open air setting.

It was Jarvis Cocker, front man of band Pulp who made the requests more than two decades ago and now we are gearing up for yet another exciting event.

From the outset the event has both a northern and southern base and today is no different.

The event which is now known by almost just one letter- V - was originally named by having the year following that same letter- V96.

Some of the acts and stars who took to the stages at the first V Festival included: Pulp, The Charlatans, Cast, Lightning Seeds and Gary Numan.

This year is no different with a selection of huge music stars preparing to wow the crowds up and down the country.

The 2017 line up includes Pink and Jay Z.

For more information and tickets see http://www.vfestival.com/