An artist will be given access all areas to sketch the artists and crowds at this year’s V Festival.

James Wilkinson, formerly of Mortimer Way, Witham, will sit on stage to capture artists such as Noel Gallagher, Olly Murs and Pixie Lott.

The artist in residence at Hylands House, Chelmsford, will also go on the roof of the 18th century house to depict the size of the crowd.

He was named first official artist to the two day festival which takes place in Hylands Park, Chelmsford, this weekend and will exhibit his work next spring.

Mr Wilkinson said: “I feel very honoured that they have chosen me to do it.

“I want to be doing as much as I can with the performers and the crowd as well.

“I will be doing as much as I can to capture the essence of V Festival and the emotions it stirs up.

“This is one of the biggest things I’ve done and I feel very excited and it will be good fun.”

Mr Wilkinson, who has been painting for the past 30 years, will call his exhibition V Motion and hopes to involve The Helen Rollason Cancer Charity in it.

He has already painted more than 200 pieces of artists, ranging from The Rolling Stones to Westlife, and some of the performers own his pictures of themselves.