Mendip District Council (MDP) has approved a new six-year premises licence for organisers of the Glastonbury Festival to stage the event at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset.

According to the council, it is the first time that the festival has been granted a licence without the need for a public hearing, after the application submitted by festival director Melvin Benn attracted few objections. MDP portfolio holder for neighbourhood services, Nigel Hewitt-Cooper, said: "The partnership work between Mendip District Council, festival organisers and other authorities, and the dedication to continually improve this event every year, means that this new application has received very few comments.

"But we aren't complacent - just because Glastonbury Festival now has a licence until 2016, this doesn't mean it escapes the close scrutiny that any event this size will have." The 2010 Glastonbury Festival is expected to be held between 25-27 June.