Neil Diamond to play Glastonbury

Diamond was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1984

US singer Neil Diamond is to perform at the Glastonbury Festival, organiser Michael Eavis has confirmed.

The 67-year-old crooner, famed for hits like Sweet Caroline and Cracklin' Rosie, will play the event on Sunday.

Mr Eavis, 72, organiser of the festival since 1970, said: "Neil Diamond is for people closer to my age."

Registration to obtain tickets for this year's event, which takes place at Pilton Farm in Somerset from 27-29 June, opens on Friday.

At last year's festival, Dame Shirley Bassey performed on Sunday and wore diamond-studded wellington boots to combat the muddy conditions.

Younger crowd

Mr Eavis reiterated that a New York hip-hop star would perform in the Saturday headline slot in a bid to attract a younger crowd to the festival.

But he again refused to confirm whether it was Jay-Z or another leading black artist.

Dame Shirley Bassey performed at Glastonbury last summer

"Traditionally we've had a very white line-up and I'm moving away from that," added Mr Eavis.

"I'm trying to address the balance otherwise the festival will die out with the older people."

Electronic dance act Hot Chip, whose comeback single Ready For The Floor is expected to hit the top 40 this week, have also been confirmed for the festival.

Festival-goers will have until 14 March to register their interest in attending, while tickets will go on sale from 6 April.

People must submit their contact details and a passport photo during the registration window in order to buy tickets when they go on sale.

Mr Eavis introduced the measures last year in an effort to beat ticket touts.