Some of Britain’s top bands – along with a cast of thousands of fans – will descend on Bingley ’s Myrtle Park tonight for the start of Bingley Music Live festival.

More than 40,000 revellers, staff, volunteers and technicians, will be on the site for this year’s three-day festival, which is headlined by Razorlight, Nero Live and The Charlatans, who return to top the bill tonight.

They will be joined by Motown legends Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Maverick Sabre, White Lies and The Pigeon Detectives among more than 60 bands and artists appearing at Bradford district’s premier music event.

However, organisers are warning people to bring their wellies after rain caused soggy ground conditions in the park’s bottom meadow.

Andrew Wood, manager for the Bradford Council-run event, yesterday said: “It is a fantastic programme of artists and we are expecting a really good festival – as well as a little bit of mud!

“Preparations have been a challenge with the weather – the amount of rain that has come down since we started setting up has caused a few issues. It was just the deluges of rain in short spells but we have got there in the end.”

As well as the main stage, this year’s event will include an expanded Raise the Roof Stage playing host to bands such as Miles and Erica and The Lancashire Hotpots.

The new Musicians Centre stage will see about 20 local bands performing in front of the huge crowds over the weekend.

Mr Wood said: “We had the Raise the Roof Stage last year but we have developed it with a better calibre of artist on a bigger stage. We have the Musicians Centre Stage which should be a big draw for people coming to see talented bands from our area.”

Visitors are advised to use public transport, such as trains to Bingley station, to prevent congestion. Park and ride buses will operate a regular free service on the three days to the town centre from the car park of UKAR, formerly the Bradford & Bingley headquarters in Croft Road, Crossflatts .

Disabled car parking is also available for badge holders at Myrtle Park Primary School off Sycamore Avenue on a first-come first-served basis.

A small number of tickets will still be available on the gate for £5 extra. The acts will start at 5pm tonight, 12.15pm tomorrow and 12pm on Sunday.

Spokesman Becky George added: “We are all looking forward to a brilliant festival. The forecast for the weekend is improving, but people need to be prepared.”

Tickets are available at bingleymusic live.com/tickets or from 0871 220 0260.