A fire has broken out at a scrapyard just outside the Glastonbury Festival site, causing lengthy delays for thousands of revellers arriving for the three-day event.

Organisers have had to shut one of the main entrances to Worthy Farm causing traffic to back up around the site.

This morning an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 people were already pitching tents in anticipation of tomorrow’s opening acts, but a further 100,000 heading to the iconic event now face traffic gridlock.

The fire broke out at Rossiters Scrapyard in Pylle, Somerset, one mile away from the festival site, in Pilton.

Firefighters from nearby Shepton Mallet were sent to the four-acre site, which contains several vehicles and gas canisters.

Devon and Somerset Fire Service are fighting the blaze, which has caused clouds of smoke to drift across the surrounding area and can be seen from the festival grounds.

The A37, to the north of the site, has been closed and diversions are expected to cause delays of up to five hours, Avon and Somerset Police said.

A spokesman for the police said: "The smoke from the fire is blowing away from the festival site and currently poses no risk to anyone at the festival.

"Police are currently involved in managing traffic around the festival site as the A37 has been closed by the fire."

Two people suffered minor burns.

Before the fire broke out this afternoon, organisers and festivalgoers were in high spirits as settled skies and mud-free grounds promised to make the festival the most successful in years.

Forecasters have predicted a windy weekend with some showers, but have ruled out the mud baths that have marred the festival in recent years.

Tomorrow’s opening acts include KT Tunstall, Kings of Leon and The Gossip. Controversial American hip-hop star Jay-Z headlines on Saturday night.

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