Latitude under way as revellers dodge the showers

Matthew SparkesMatthew Sparkes reports from Latitude.Ominous clouds began to loom over Henham Park on last night, just as the main throng of revellers arrived. Soon after, the heavens opened and many who had finished pitching their tents retreated for a stormy night's sleep.Matthew Sparkes

Matthew Sparkes reports from Latitude.

Ominous clouds began to loom over Henham Park on last night, just as the main throng of revellers arrived.

Soon after, the heavens opened and many who had finished pitching their tents retreated for a stormy night's sleep.

Although the main music stages don't kick off until today, there were plenty of other things see on the first night - and much of the crowd was not phased one bit by the torrential rain.

Norwich-based Tim Clare was on at the Literary Arena, discussing his new book We Can't All be Astronauts and Dockers MC took the Poetry Arena by storm.

This morning the expected mud bath was thankfully nowhere to be seen, and the programme began in earnest as the rain tailed off. As the second wave of arrivals came in the traditional Latitude sunshine emerged.

The morning was packed full of the usual eclectic mix of small and surreal acts, dotted over the large site, which occupied those waiting for the big acts of the day; Regina Spektor, Little Boots and the Pet Shop Boys.

Although the weather forecast looks bleak, the atmosphere is anything but.