You can't take it down, you can't get over it, you can't get under it

Michael Eavis on the new Glastonbury fence

This year's festival was given the green light after councillors endorsed his �2m safety plans on Thursday.

But Mr Eavis's long-term plan could still be scuppered if gate-crashers marr this year's event.

Glastonbury 2002 would have a "formidable" line-up of bands, he said - although he refused to announce any names.

But he did say The Who, who had been tipped to play, would definitely not be appearing.

New �2m security measures

3.6m fence 663 security staff 12 CCTV cameras Six watchtowers Floodlighting 'No ticket, no entry' Car park surveillance Free bus to take gatecrashers away

"We hope to run until I'm 70 - that's the idea," he said. "Who knows, I may be keen to carry on."

"Some of these old 'uns go on - look at Rupert Murdoch. So there's no reason to stop when you're 70. And I'm feeling incredibly fit."

Council licence

Members of Mendip District Council's Regulatory Board approved an entertainment licence for the festival by 10 votes to three after a debate that lasted until late on Thursday night.

If the council decision had gone the other way, that would have also signalled the end for Glastonbury, Mr Eavis said.

Thousands of people have crashed the party in previous years

"It would have been curtains, I think," he said. "One year off is one thing, but two years off is too much."

Last year's event was cancelled in 2001 due to safety fears raised by police.

And if this year's safety measures do not work, it is likely to be the last festival ever held.

Councillors were convinced by his plans for a new �1m "super fence" and another �1m for extra security staff and other measures.

The fence was "a different ballgame" to previous years, with interlocking sections meaning it could not be taken apart, he said, as well a sloping top section making it impossible to get over.

We've got a formidable line-up - we can't go wrong

Michael Eavis

"You can't take it down, you can't get over it, you can't get under it because you've got a metal road around the outside," Mr Eavis said.

Some of the biggest names in rock are expected to play, with names like Rod Stewart and former Pink Floyd songwriter Roger Waters reportedly keen.

"Everyone's playing here, really, in some way or another," Mr Eavis said.

"We've got a formidable line-up. We can't go wrong really."

But The Who were "gutted" because they will be in the United States at the time of the festival and will not be able to appear, he said.

The last event was held in 2000

The festival, which will issue 140,000 tickets, will take place over the weekend of 28-30 June.

Police said they still had reservations over safety and crime this year - but did not block the licence application.

Glastonbury is seen by many as the highlight of the UK festival season, and is held on Mr Eavis's farmland, where the first festival took place in 1970.

The event also raises hundreds of thousands of pounds for charities such as Greenpeace and Water Aid.