In pictures: Radio 1's Big Weekend in Sunderland has officially started

Festival goers are starting to descend on Sunderland’s Herrington Country Park on Friday afternoon for the start of Radio 1’s Big Weekend of music.

The three-day festival includes performances by Fatboy Slim, Ellie Goulding, Niall Horan and Olivia Dean as well as sets by a host of local acts.

The Echo will be covering the event, which is expected to attract 100,000 people, throughout the weekend with stories, pictures and videos.

Keep checking our www.sunderlandecho.com website and Facebook page for further updates.

1. Ready and waiting

Music lovers begin to arrive at Herrington Country Park. Photo: Raoul Dixon / North News

Excited music lovers arrive at Herrington Country Park. Photo: Raoul Dixon / North News

Spectators, left to right, Olivia Fletcher, Kelly Goodwin and Amber Clews pose in front of the big stage. Photo: Raoul Dixon / North News

All smiles from these music lovers. Photo: Raoul Dixon / North News