Eavis ‘cross’ that Wombles are playing Glastonbury

Michael Eavis, the Somerset farmer who founded the Glastonbury Festival, has found himself in an unseemly war of words with The Wombles after he said he was "cross" that they would be playing at this year's event.

Eavis told the BBC that booking the novelty act - who, dressed as the lovable children's TV characters, enjoyed four top ten singles in the 1970s - was "a bit of a mistake", explaining: "I've got about 25 stages and managers and bookers for each of the stages. I can't control every single one of them but I do get cross about that kind of thing."   

But in fairness to the hapless booker, who has doubtless endured an ear-bashing from the normally avuncular Eavis, perhaps he was merely inspired by Glastonbury’s strong tradition of entertaining novelty acts.

Rolf Harris, held the main Pyramid Stage spellbound when he treated them to hits including Two Little Boys and Stairway to Heaven in 2009, while Chas 'n' Dave (of Snooker Loopy fame) and comedy Welsh rap act Goldie Lookin' Chain have also enjoyed the hospitality of Worthy Farm.

The Wombles, meanwhile have retaliated by withdrawing their offer to tidy up the Glastonbury site after the festival. The band's founder, composer Mike Batt, said: "I hope Michael will check them out and regret regretting it. He probably doesn't realise what a fantastic live band the Wombles are." ·