The Leeds Festival 2008 will be remembered by many as the year the mud came to Bramham Park. After escaping the worst of the weather since its switch from Temple Newsam, the rain came down hard this time, turning parts of the usually beautiful scenery into a quagmire.

It was a sunny final day for the 70,000 plus crowd to enjoy, however, and whatever the weather could throw at people it was fun and entertainment all the way.

After Saturday brought the best of British in The Enemy and The Fratellis to the main stage alongside American rockers Queens Of The Stone Age and Rage Against Machine it was another varied line-up on offer on the third day and there were strong performances on the go right from the off.

The Automatic warmed things up with their early main stage slot in which they proved that their Monster hit is not the only memorable tune they possess.

British Sea Power kept the tune-thing going before the classy Editors kept a large gathering in the main srena enthralled.

Dirty Pretty Things and The Raconteurs were equally impressive in a contrasting way while the action was really hotting up at the NME/ Radio 1 Stage with the cool Ting Tings pulling the biggest crowd of the day at this part of the field.

Surprisingly good they proved to be too with Katie White proving a real bundle of energy that rubbed off on a packed tent.

Old blues man Seasick Steve had the unenviable task of following the Ting Tings, but did it with aplomb, his likeable easy going style going down a storm with another full tent.

Bloc Party served up a solid, if unspectacular set on the main stage as darkness began to descend then it was real decision time with four headlining acts all on at the same time and all top drawer in their own field.

Predictably The Killers attracted the biggest crowd of the weekend and were the choice for those wanting polished rock while Gallows provided the hard edge on the Lock-up Stage and York's Elliot Minor indie rock on the Festival Republic Stage.

But, perhaps, saving the best for last, the Manic Street Preachers were truly awesome and in fantastic form at the NME/ Radio 1 Stage with a crowd pleasing set that ended in classic sing-along style with A Design For Life. What a perfect way to end a great weekend of music.

More festival highlights later

Pictures by IAN HARBER