ALMOST 45,000 dance music lovers will descend on Daresbury this summer after Creamfields was given the go-ahead.

Residents opposing the international festival gave a huge sigh on Tuesday night as Halton Borough Council revealed they had granted a licence for the event.

After three hours of submissions from the applicant and objectors including Halton Borough Council and concerned residents from Hatton, Walton, Moore and Daresbury, it took Halton councillors 45 minutes of deliberation to deliver their verdict.

Granting the licence has netted Halton £24,000, while Warrington Borough Council will only recoup outlay costs.

But the festival licence - which will run from 1pm on August 26 to 6am the following day - came with several conditions.

Organisers Cream have to take responsibility for public nuisance and safety, while a traffic plan already approved by police will be put into action.

A fresh condition revealed at the Runcorn Town Hall meeting stated that revellers attending Creamfields must wear yellow security wristbands at all times.

A detailed report must also be produced after the festival, as Cream hope the village will become the home of Creamfields for at least the next five years.

Claire Priestner, a Walton resident objecting, said: "I like the Zutons and the Prodigy but in the right controlled grounds."

Francis Hough from Daresbury said: "This will be a nightmare for the people of Daresbury, we will be prisoners in our own homes.

"And some people may be under the influence of alcohol and drugs."

People living nearby are annoyed they will be forced to use security passes to get in and out of their properties, as well as fears over noise, traffic chaos, personal safety and environmental damage.

Despite getting the green light, there will be a complaints hotline on the night with both councils' officers have the power to ask organisers to turn down noise levels if necessary.

Cream chief executive James

Barton said: "We are naturally delighted that our licence application has been successful.

"We were always confident in the strength of the application and we are now looking forward to putting on what will be a superb show.

"In addition, our team have unrivalled expertise and many years of experience in staging major outdoor events such as this and in ensuring the safety and well-being of all those attending, as well as those residents living nearby."

More than 500 police officers will be drafted in to patrol the event and Cream will employ 100 Group 4 security guards, while almost 300 people will be working on site under nine managers.

beckykelly@guardiangrp.co.uk