The event, which features the Scissor Sisters, will be shown on TV

Almost 500,000 people applied for tickets to the free event, which takes place in Moor Park, Preston, over the weekend of 19 and 20 May.

On Tuesday, construction started on the stages which will host acts including Scissor Sisters and Kaiser Chiefs.

Registration for tickets closed on Monday and successful applicants will be notified by e-mail on Wednesday.

Multi-platform content

Each successful applicant will receive a ticket for either Saturday or Sunday, with the majority being given to music fans in the Preston area.

Jason Carter, Radio 1's live events editor, said the festival site was being made bigger to accommodate the additional numbers.

"Listeners will still be incredibly lucky to win one of our golden tickets and they'll find out tomorrow if they have been successful or not," he said.

The Big Weekend will be broadcast on Radio 1 and be available to watch on BBC Three, BBC Two, on interactive TV and online via the Radio 1 site.

"This year's multi-platform content is bigger and better than ever," Mr Carter added.

Other acts set to play the two-day event include Razorlight, Mika, Kasabian, The Fratellis and Natasha Bedingfield.