Bio Tent Pegs

Music fans attending this year's Glastonbury festival will be told to use biodegradable tent pegs in an effort to protect grazing cattle.

The pegs are made from biodegradable potato starch, which is strong and already used in the turf industry.

Organiser Michael Eavis said the measure was an attempt to prevent grazing dairy cows at his farm becoming injured by metal tent pegs left behind after the weekend summer festival.

Up to 175,000 people attend the annual bash in fields at Worthy Farm, Somerset, many of whom bring their own tents.

The metal pegs are "a real problem for the cows", Eavis told BBC News.

"We're going to buy a biodegradable tent peg this year, but it is very stout actually. They use it in the turf industry and we've just discovered it.

"So we're going to force people to use the tent pegs and not use the wire ones."

The move is part of a series of environmental measures called "Leave No Trace" which are to be announced in March.

Music fans began registering for tickets for the June 27 - 29 festival on Friday.

Children aged between 13 and 15 will have to register for the first time this year, providing a photograph which will appear on the ticket in an effort to stop touts.

Registration has been extended by two weeks this year until March 15, though registration does not guarantee a ticket. They go on sale from April 6.

The line-up will not be announced until after then, though Eavis told the BBC that crooner Neil Diamond is on the bill.