by Chris Price

Morrissey has been announced as the Saturday headliner for this year's Hop Farm Festival.

The former frontman for The Smiths is joined by Lou Reed, Iggy and The Stooges and Patti Smith for the festival near Paddock Wood on Friday, July 1 and Saturday, July 2.

The festival organisers made the announcment on Twitter at about 9.15am, 45 minutes earlier than the official announcement was due at 10am.

Singer-songwriter Morrissey, 51, is seen as one of the most important innovators in indie music both as a solo artist and as a member of The Smiths, who split up in 1987.

Hits with the band include This Charming Man, Panic and Girlfriend in a Coma.

Solo anthems of his include Suedehead, Every Day is Like Sunday, You're The One For Me, Fatty and You Have Killed Me.

The penultimate act of the festival will be 69-year-old elder statesmen of rock Lou Reed.

He was the principile songwriter for The Velvet Underground before embarking on a solo career which spawned all-time classics such as Walk On The Wild Side and Perfect Day.

Iggy and The Stooges are led by 63-year-old frontman Iggy Pop, whose hits include Real Wild Child and The Passenger.

The frontman is well known for his stage diving antics and his recent car adverts for swiftcover.

Patti Smith came to the fore as an influential part of the New York City punk rock movement with her 1975 debut album Horses and is known as the Godmother of Punk.

Also billed are Newton Faulkner, Brother, Noisettes and The Bluetones.

Rock legends Eagles were announced as Friday headliners last week. Also performing on the Friday are Bryan Ferry, Brandon Flowers, The Human League and Ocean Colour Scene.