THE Left Field site at the Glastonbury festival was officially opened yesterday with a tribute to Tony Benn, who had appeared as one of its guest speakers ever since its first incarnation at the festival in 2002.

The veteran leftwinger, who died in March aged 88, was described as the stage’s “ultimate headline act” by curator Billy Bragg.

Festival organiser Michael Eavis also paid tribute to Mr Benn, describing him as a “fantastic fella” and a highly principled politician.

“We’re going to miss him so much because he was so much a part of this and he was very popular,” Mr Eavis said. “How do we replace him?”

Mr Bragg described Mr Benn as a “great friend of Glastonbury.” He said he was a popular draw to the Left Field, described as the “meeting place of pop and politics.”

He added: “He always filled the tent for us.”