NEARLY 50,000 revellers have descended on Winchester this weekend as the largest ever BoomTown Fair got underway.

Now in its seventh year, or chapter seven as the organisers call it, the festival at Matterley Estate got permission to expand last year.

It is split into nine different districts, separately providing music to suit all tastes, and culminating in a bonkers fantasy land where fancy dress is not encouraged – it’s required.

From the backstreet barbers in the Wild West to the glamorous ladies-who-lunch of Mayfair Avenue, there’s a plethora of characters waiting to take up residence in one of the unique areas of the ‘city’.

The 500 plus acts include Stephen Marley, Flogging Molly, Gogol Bordello, Matisyahu, Barrington Levy, Squarepusher, Noisia, Spor, John Butler Trio, Less Than Jake and Infected Mushroom.

With so many districts, streets, venues and sideshows to take in the organisers have set up their own news channel dedicated to giving short bulletins about what’s going on in each of the districts.