ORGANISERS of Oxfordshire's biggest rock festival have fought off threats of floods and foot-and-mouth disease and are gearing up for its late summer comeback.

The rearranged Truck Festival kicks off in Steventon today after being cancelled in July because of flooding.

And it promises to be better than ever before.

Organisers said nearly all the original line up would play the festival, including many artists due to come over from America.

The 5,000 music lovers look set for a weekend of al fresco partying with 130 acts including Oxford bands The Epstein and A Silent Film, who played at this year's Glastonbury Festival.

Rising stars such as Youthmovies, Winnebago Deal, the Rock of Travolta, and Andy Yorke will also be playing alongside scores of other Truck Festival regulars.

Alan Binning, who owns the festival site at Hill Farm, said: "The festival had been doomed this year, but the goodwill of everyone has been incredible. I see no reason why the festival should not go with a swing."

Mr Binning said foot-and-mouth was a worry, but measures would be in place to restrict access to the animals.

He said: "With the livestock on the farm and the number of people coming from all over the country, it is a concern.

He said: "We have moved the older stock to the far end of the farm away from the festival and we shall be preventing the general public going anywhere near the younger animals in the buildings.

"With the volume of traffic that will be coming, it is just not practical to have disinfectant wheel washes."

Organiser, Joe Bennett, of the band Goldrush, said: "I have never had to rearrange anything like this before but we hope to end the summer the way we wanted it to start. The festival will be the best yet."

Didcot Rotary Club, which provides most of the food for the event, lost £3,000 pounds after the festival was cancelled. But members said they were well ahead with preparations for this weekend - with nearly two tonnes of chips, loads of bacon and thousands of burgers.

Brian Key, the club secretary, said: "Many of the suppliers have given very generous rates for the provision of equipment and food for the rearranged date."

Robert Stevenson from A Silent Film, said the festival had been due a bit of bad luck after years of good weather.

He said: "Last year the rain got us and some of our equipment broke, but this year it got the whole festival."