Manics to fill in for Travis at V2002

Rock giants Manic Street Preachers were today added to the bill of the V2002 festivals with a headline slot to step in for injury-struck Travis.

The Welsh trio will play their first gigs of the year when they play the twin events at Weston Park, Staffordshire and Hylands Park, Chelmsford, Essex, later this month.

Travis pulled out to allow drummer Neil Primrose to recover from an operation on his spine after damaging it in a pool accident.

Other headliners at the events on August 17 and 18 are Stereophonics and the Chemical Brothers.

The Manics - who release a greatest hits album Forever Delayed on October 28 _ will top the bill on the NME stage.

Festival director, Bob Angus said: “We’re really pleased to have secured the performance of such a high profile headliner for the NME stage this year. The Manic Street Preachers are one of the UK’s most important bands and top off the bill very nicely.”

Manic Street Preachers headlined the festival three years ago.