Hoards of welly-clad youngsters? Check. Nightmare traffic? Check. Early morning boozing? Check. Yes, it’s that time of year again – the Reading Festival is here.

Yesterday morning saw the start of the annual mudfest with thousands of music lovers gathering in the town.

From the train station, through town, along Caversham Road and down Richfield Avenue scores of people – some carrying guitars and sporting Mohicans – headed to the festival.

Despite some festivalgoers being scammed out of tickets, as reported in yesterday’s Post, the mood was jubilant. Richard Henderson, of Colchester in Essex, was one of the unlucky people caught out by blacklisted site xclusiveticket.com.

He shelled out £175 for a ticket which did not exist. But he took it all in his stride and was cheerfully necking back lager yesterday.

The 20-year-old explained how he had queued all night for a ticket.

He said: “I’ve been here since midnight – and drinking that whole time.

“I was really upset when I found out the ticket was fake but still decided to come along.”

Richard brought along his pals Katie Hempenstall and Siobhan O’Doherty. The girls, both 20, are festival novices.

Katie, of St Albans in Hertfordshire, said: “I’m really looking forward to seeing The Wombles.” Siobhan, of Tottenham in London, added: “I can’t wait to watch Biffy Clyro. I’ve never been to the festival before and I’m petrified.”

One lad left disappointed was Josh Nancolas who had his bag, sleeping bag, food and clothes pilfered before the festival had even started.

Josh, 17, of Camberley in Surrey, had been guarding his mates’ bags when his were swiped. It was taken sometime during the early hours of yesterday – Josh had been lying in Richfield Avenue since midnight waiting for his pals to buy last minute tickets.

“But I won’t let it spoil my festival,” he promised.

“Even if I did have to sleep under the stars and had my bag nicked.”

Dave Ford, 21, of Coventry in the West Midlands has been going to the festival for seven years. He attended with his pals and girlfriend Lisa Williams, 22, also from Coventry.

Dave is especially excited about watching Slipknot and Rage Against the Machine. He said: “We got to Reading at 7am. Now we’re just hoping we’re in the right queue.”

Lisa said: “We love going to gigs and the festival is cheap considering how many bands you get to see.”

The group have dedicated today to superheroes. Each one of them will be dressing as their own superhero.

But it was not such good news for motorists. From noon on Tuesday Tessa Road and Richfield Avenue were no parking areas.

One traffic warden told the Evening Post by 8.20am yesterday  they had dished out nine penalty charge notices just in Tessa Road.