Flags would be confiscated at the arena gates, says Melvyn Benn to the BBC.

Flags banned for Leeds Festival 2009

BBC Entertainment has today reported about festival organiser Melvyn Benn’s plans to ban flags at Leeds Festival this year.

In the article published today, he told the BBC that they blocked the view for many fans. He said:

“The people behind them – not immediately behind them, but 20 or 30 rows behind them – can’t see.”

While you may get away with them in the campsite – i.e. to mark your tent location – the plans are that if you try to take them into the arena itself then you will have your flag confiscated.

Gas Canisters and Aerosols (over 100ml) are also banned this year.

Organisers are also banning gas canisters, cylinders and petrol cookers anywhere on the site this year (campsite and arena included). The official site states that this is for “various reasons, mainly your and our staff’s safety” and to “bring our campsite policy in line with many other similar national events”.

You should also be aware that they may take a strict approach to festival goers breaking these rules with threats of ejection from the Leeds Festival site.

An exception to this is that caravan and camper van ticket holders (in the campervan field only) will be permitted to bring in gas containers up to the limit of 3kg.

Organisers Festival Republic have stated that they will allow the following items on site:

• Greenheat Base Camp Cooker
• Sold Fuel Stoves
• Disposable BBQs
• Firelighters / Flirelighter Stoves
• Methylated / “Trangia” Spirit Stoves

Be safe this year and have fun!