CREAMFIELDS ended the summer festival season with a bang as it returned to the Old Liverpool Airport for its seventh year.

The two outdoor stages and seven arenas stood on a squidgy bed of mud, thanks to this 'summer's' endless downpours. But that didn't stop tens of thousands of revellers enjoying the 15-hour dance party, many brandishing this season's hottest fashion accessory... wellies.

Dozens of DJs from around the world - including household names Paul Oakenfold, Yousef and Tim Deluxe - kept the dance tents packed. But it was the headliners that drew the biggest crowds, helping this year's festival become the fastest selling Creamfields yet.

Up first were New York cool cats the Scissor Sisters. Heavy disco beats and deep-south rock 'n' roll swept across Creamfields as the full moon glowed. Jake Shears shimmied across the stage in a matador's jacket, while Ana Matronic praised England for its ability to rain.

As the sisters took a bow to waves of satisfied applause, the Chemical Brothers were getting ready to play their first live gig at the festival.

Used to filling up the dance tents with their DJ sets, this year Tom and Ed were moved to the main outdoor stage. Kicking off with a brain-rattling rendition of Hey Boy, Hey Girl, they kept the crowd transfixed with big beats and electro hits from the last ten years

Warming up the outdoor stage earlier in the afternoon were Prodigy frontman Keith Flint's new band Clever Brains Fryin - after Goldfrapp cancelled due to illness - as well as Mylo, A Man Called Adam and Fierce Girl.

Liverpool's Chibuku Shake Shake hosted their own arena for the first time. Also new to Creamfields was the hard house Tidy Arena and the Underwater Vs Circus Arena, hosted by Darren Emerson.

And when hours of non-stop dancing took their toll the chillout tent, or a spot of pole-dancing in the Aftershock Arena, made a welcome change.