BBC Radio 2 In The Park festival tickets bagged during live Preston broadcast

Forty early-rising Prestonians were able to get their hands on tickets for BBC Radio 2 In The Park festival.

Presenter Richie Anderson broadcast live from Moor Park and Deepdale Stadium throughout Wednesday (24 April) morning after dropping clues on air about where this year's music event would take place.

Physio Joanne Bishop from Garstang was one of the first to figure out Richie's clues.

Read more: BBC Radio 2 In The Park confirmed as Preston's mystery music festival

She said: "I was driving in to work and I heard the clues and thought they have to be talking about Preston, and when he said about the park then I knew it must be right near work.

"So I took a slightly different route and spotted him and I got here.

"It means so much to receive these tickets. I love Radio 2 and I love music, so I just can't wait to be a part of it. I'd love it if Ed Sheeran headlined."

Also among the first to spot Richie, and come sprinting across the park, where window cleaners Peter Abbott, Andrew Allen and Bradley Carney - all from Preston.

Andrew said: "We've been out on the job since 5.30 and we always listen to Radio 2 while we're on our rounds.

"It's much better than Radio 1 and as soon as Richie said about being four stops from London and the distance from the sea we were like 'he must mean here' so we popped down.

"Things like this just never happen to Preston so it's fantastic to see the festival coming here."

Read more: See what's on in Preston

Richie spoke to a number of Prestonians live on air as they reacted to the news of the city hosting the two-day festival across Saturday 7 September and Sunday 8 September, first reported by Blog Preston in March when a festival was confirmed to be taking place on the park.

All those who made it down to Deepdale Stadium in time received a pair of either Saturday or Sunday tickets.

Richie told Blog Preston: "I've had to keep so many secrets this week. They only told me I was coming here yesterday because I'm like the Radio 2 busybody.

"We are bringing some stellar acts to Moor Park, if you look at who performed last year in Leicester you can expect the same level of acts.

"It's been so much fun. This is what radio is all about. It's been incredible to meet our listeners, we've had such a laugh.

"This is one of my favourite shows to do the announcement. We always have a little panic, what if no one turns up? But they do and Preston certainly has."

Read more: Preston Weekender issues 'low ticket warning'

Around 32,000 people are expected each day of the weekend festival, with a smaller event due to take place on the Friday evening at the second stage - Blog Preston understands.

The full line-up along with how to get tickets will be confirmed during June.

Chief executive of Preston City Council, Adrian Phillips, said: "Having an event of this scale is a big positive for the city. We as a council wouldn't be able to put on this kind of festival but we're working hand-in-hand with the BBC's production team to ensure this is an event people remember forever.

"If you think back to Radio 1's Big Weekend in 2007 then even if you didn't go then you know it was happening and felt a part of it. People still talk about it now. I expect this festival to be similar.

"We are working with partners to look at how we ensure we make the most of there being a lot more people in the city that weekend and of course all the logistics of that too."

Asked who he would like to see headline the festival Mr Phillips wouldn't be drawn on giving an opinion, but did hint his normal morning listening was Radio 4 rather than Radio 2.

Mr Phillips said: "There's no doubt there will be something for everyone on the line-up and we know just what a boost this will be for Preston, with a huge number of people coming to the city centre and surrounding area during that weekend."

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