MERCURY Music Prize winning artist PJ Harvey has been added to the line-up for this year's V festival.The acclaimed singer/songwriter joins Red Hot Chili Peppers and Coldplay who have already been confirmed as headline acts over the two-day festival.

MERCURY Music Prize winning artist PJ Harvey has been added to the line-up for this year's V festival.

The acclaimed singer/songwriter joins Red Hot Chili Peppers and Coldplay who have already been confirmed as headline acts over the two-day festival.

V2003 takes place at Hylands Park, in Chelmsford, and Weston Park, in Staffordshire on August 16 and 17 and acts will once again swap between sites.

Polly Jean will be backed by Rob Ellis and Mick Harvey for the two appearances at V2003 and fans can expect her to perform an eclectic mix of new songs and old favourites from her entire catalogue.

The V2003 dates will form part of her whirlwind European tour and follow her recent highly successful tour of New Zealand and Australia.

She was awarded the Mercury Prize in 2001 for her sixth album, Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea, becoming the first female to win the coveted award.

V Festival director Simon Moran said: "After Coldplay and the Red Hot Chili Peppers we couldn't be happier to secure another massive indie act. We are thrilled PJ Harvey is joining us for the first time."

V Festival director Bob Angus added: "The eighth year of the V festival looks like it is going to be our strongest yet.

"This is going to be one summer music lovers won't be able to forget."

Further announcements about other bands, singers and musicians set to join the line-up of one of the country's biggest and best festivals are expected in the coming weeks but even with only three acts so far confirmed, V2003 is shaping up to be an unmissable event.

Tickets for V2003 go on sale on March 8.

Weblinks: www.vfestival.com

www.pjharvey.net