Festival-goers heading to the Isle of Wight have been caught in long queues of traffic and mud, as heavy rain hit the island.

Some motorists were forced to sleep in their cars overnight, while police managed to escort others to Newport Football Club, where shelter and refreshments were provided.

Hundreds of people were held on boats in the Solent because of the traffic gridlock on the island.

Problems began on Thursday morning when the main Isle of Wight Festival car park became waterlogged from heavy rain overnight.

The festival's Big Top was also cleared during high winds.

Organiser John Giddings said: "We did everything within our power, but as soon as that 24 hour rain came down it became horrendous.

"I'm really very sorry, I can only apologise. I know there's a couple of hundred still out there.

"It's going to be a great weekend, don't give up on us."

About 55,000 people are expected at the three-day event on the island.