THE gates have opened today for Camp Bestival 2013, the four-day family festival, which takes place at Lulworth Castle. Now in its sixth year, there are still a few day tickets left for the family friendly festival, which runs from August 1-4.

Top acts include chart topper Labrinth, Take That star Mark Owen, songstress Gabrielle Aplin and Ulster rockers Ash. Others include teenage Dorchester rapper Isaiah Dreads, who performed at Glastonbury, former Pulp and Longpigs star Richard Hawley, The Levellers, I Am Kloot, Nik Kershaw, Billy Bragg and hundreds more.

The festival is aimed squarely at families, so it’s not just about the music.

Kids will love Mr Tumble, Horrible Histories, the Woodland Story Den and Dick’n’Dom.

There is a whole world of global food on offer plus a massive programme of literature, comedy and theatre.

Camp Bestival organiser and Radio One DJ Rob da Bank says: “We need to please babies, toddlers, teens, 30-somethings, mums, dads, grannies, grandpas, aunts, uncles and pretty much everyone in-between. It’s not as simple as booking three headliners and be done with it.”

The knock-on effect of the four-day extravaganza is that the county as a whole reaps the benefits of hosting a major cultural event.

“You can’t underestimate how many families use Camp Bestival as the start of their summer holiday and then go and stay locally and spend locally,” said Rob.

Josie da Bank said: “Our plan is to keep it going, to keep it the same size, to see the same children coming back and getting older and also to welcome and meet new families.”

For full details about the festival and ticket information please visit campbestival.net and follow our live blog which can be found at bournemouthecho.co.uk