Download Festival have banned flags in the main arena of the site after receiving an “overwhelming” number of complaints in 2009.

Festival organisers confirmed the news on a forum post yesterday evening, writing: “Due to an overwhelming number of complaints from people and now we have had chance to view the footage from previous years and can see what everyone means (and not see the acts on stage!), we will be banning flags on sticks in the main arena.

"Hope you all understand that this is to ensure that everyone can enjoy what's on stage.”

A later posting about people trying to break the flags rule reads: “They will be stopped at the entrance to the arena and anyone who breaks the rule will be ejected from the festival.

"Its a rule and if someone thinks they can be funny by smuggling in a stick up their ass then they should expect swift action. Plus I've booked a sniper!!”

In 2009 organisers of Reading Festival also banned flags completely from the festival due to the fact they "restrict the view of people behind."

This year's Download Festival features performances from AC/DC, Them Crooked Vultures, iday, with a supporting card including Them Crooked Vultures, Wolfmother, Bullet For My Valentine, Motorhead, Deftones, Stone Temple Pilots, Volbeat, and Megadeth.

More acts will be unveiled in the coming weeks.