Forget the problems of contending with mud up to your knees, or finding a clean loo new research shows that festivalgoers should keep an eye on their belongings.

Festivalgoers are risking over £3 billion's worth of personal possessions for thieves according to a new report by Zurich Insurance.

The research was carried out across the UK on all festivals, and it reveals that almost a million people, nearly one in ten, have had their possessions stolen while listening to their favourite bands at a festival.

The average value of personal items that people carry or might carry with them amounts to over £260, including valuable items such as mobile phones, cameras or memory cards, iPods and MP3 players and of course wallets and cash.

Mike Quinton, managing director for Zurich said: "One in four British adults said they were planning on attending a festival this summer and it would be all too easy to get swept up in the summer spirit and forget to take even the simplest of precautions with their belongings.

"Our research shows that many music lovers are taking unnecessary risks by storing expensive goods in tents, carrying pricey items on them and failing to consider protecting themselves from theft.

"We urge all festival goers this summer to plan ahead, only take what they need to as well as checking their cover before they go."

Despite the hazards of sharing personal space with over 130,000 strangers at Glastonbury, the research shows that the majority of people don't consider safeguarding their belongings and do not take out any sort of insurance.

Avon and Somerset Police say that theft at the festival has decreased over the years, but incidents still occur and unfortunately a few thieves still target the event. The force's advice is that the safest way not to have your belongings stolen is not to take them.