ROLLING STONES - ROLLING STONES TAKE CENTRE STAGE AT ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL

The Rolling Stones entertained a 60,000-strong crowd at the Isle of Wight Festival on Sunday night in what was their first performance at a festival in the United Kingdom for 31 years.

The world famous rock band played their last UK gig at the Knebworth Fair in 1976 where they performed at the finale to the three-day festival.

The band joined other acts such as Keane, Amy Winehouse and Muse in the line-up but they stole the show even before the performance as they arrived at the Isle of Wight on their own private chartered ferry - a ferry large enough to hold their entourage of nearly 200 people as well as five Winnebago trailers and a private security team.

The BBC reports that the Stones, in true rock star style, kept fans waiting for 20 minutes, before kicking off a performance that included a spectacular fireworks display.

Lead singer Mick Jagger joked with the audience just before the performance: "I think we're the 21st act - that's a lot of acts. I hope you've got a lot more in the tank."

The band are scheduled to play in France, Germany, Spain, Serbia and Russia, before returning to the UK to play three shows at London's O2 arena - the former Millennium Dome - in August.

Earlier this week, the Stones caused a 30-mile traffic jam as fans queued to see them play in the Belgian town of Werchter.