With three days of musical mayhem ahead, Port Lympne is well and truly wired for sound.

Today, up to 20,000 people were descending on the wild animal park to kick off three days of musical mayhem as the first ever Zoo Thousand festival gets under way.

Both day-trippers and happy campers will enjoy the sounds of Mark Ronson, Dizzee Rascal, The Hives, Athlete, Young Knives, Bloc Party, Roni Size and Chaz n Dave until the early hours of Monday morning.

The start was delayed this afternoon as fans flocked to the venue. The gates eventually opened about two hours late.

Listen to Zoo Thousand venue manager Eddie Hill explain how Port Lympne's animals are reacting to the park's transformation. ~ Click here >>>

Stages and tents include Tap’n’Tin, Suburban Kings, Groove Monkey, Z008 showcase, BBC Introducing, Heavy, Breakology, Fat! And – for those with the right tickets – the VIP venue.

But the fun doesn’t stop with the music.

The park is also laying on Segway rally racing, a fairground, a ‘silent’ disco, children’s fun area, and head, neck and shoulder massages courtesy of the Ibiza Angels.

There are also some rather luxurious camping options, although thousands of ticket holders will be contentedly 'roughing in' in the 600-acre park for the duration of the weekend.

The campsite opened at 8am this morning and will close at midday on Monday.

For full information about the festival visit www.zoothousand.com

Will you be at Zoo Thousand this weekend? Send us your photos and video clips of the festivities! Email editor.kentonline@thekmgroup.co.uk.