AFTER months of planning, Wollaton Park is now ready for a weekend of live music, with the arrival of the annual Splendour festival.

And it is expected to be the biggest yet with 14,000 people due at tomorrow's all-day event.

Chart-toppers the Pet Shop Boys will be joined by Calvin Harris, Noisettes and Athlete.

After a day of rock and pop on five stages, the site will give way to an afternoon of classical music for the first Wollaton Classics, featuring the Halle orchestra and guests. Tickets for that event, on Sunday, are two for the price of one.

"It's our third year with Splendour and we're getting a bit more 'au fait' with putting a festival on of this size," said Cheryl Connolly, marketing and communications officer at Nottingham City Council.

Past festivals featured the likes of Kate Nash, Paolo Nutini and Madness.

Additional generators had to be hired to cater for the Pet Shop Boys' live show, she said.

"We're having to pull out all the stops for them, but we're really excited to see the kind of show they put on."

More than 200 staff will be on site for the event, including parking stewards, drivers, caterers, first aid volunteers and litter pickers.

"We're having a fifth stage for the first time where we'll be hosting world music. It's to give the festival even broader appeal."

Nottingham bands such as Frontiers, Dog is Dead, who recently played a set at Glastonbury, and Trent FM's Future Sound Of Nottingham competition winners Long Dead Signal, will play alongside the more established artists.

"Nottingham is quickly carving a name out for itself as a great city for live music," said Connolly.

"Not only have we got our flagship venues, but we have lots of young talent coming through."

As well as music, there's a comedy stage featuring Paddy Lennox, Caimh McDonnell and compère Dave Twentyman.

For the children, there'll be a funfair and other activities in the Kids' Zone. Under-11s are admitted free of charge.

Tickets are still on sale for Splendour, which runs from 12.30pm to 11pm, from Rock City, the Royal Centre, the City Council trailer on Smithy Row. and at the gate. They cost £30, £15 for city residents, £15 for under-18s, £10 for under-18s in the city and free for under 11s.

500 will be available to buy at the gate.

Cheryl Connolly said: "As last year's Splendour sold out we'd advise anyone wanting to go to buy tickets in advance."

Tickets for Sunday's Wollaton Classics are two-for-one from the same outlets, priced at £15, £10 for city residents, £5 for all under-18s and free to under-11s.

"If you've already bought a ticket just bring a friend and they'll get in for free on the day."

The Hallé orchestra will be headlining day two of the event, which runs from 2.30pm to 6pm and also includes Natasha Marsh and All Angels.

Parking for both events is £4.

The 35 and 36 bus services regularly run to and from Wollaton Park.

An additional shuttle bus operates at the end of the final performance.

Both events kick off a season of that includes Nottingham Riviera, Nottingham Pride and Riverside Festival.

See today's EG for the full Splendour line-up.