Sonisphere returned to Knebworth at the weekend with more than 50,000 rock fans attending the three-day festival.

The Comet: Keith Flint on stage at Sonisphere 2014 during The Prodigy's Friday night headline show at Knebworth Park [Picture: PG Brunelli]Keith Flint on stage at Sonisphere 2014 during The Prodigy's Friday night headline show at Knebworth Park [Picture: PG Brunelli] (Image: SONISPHERE)

The event was held in the grounds of Knebworth House following a two-year hiatus – celebrating 40 years of music at the historic venue.

Friday night included performances from Gary Numan, Limp Bizkit and The Prodigy, while Iron Maiden headlined on Saturday before Metallica closed the show on Sunday night.

Festival director Stuart Galbraith said: “Only the biggest line-up would have been suitable for this 40th anniversary year and we’re extremely proud with what we have delivered for the fans. Having been on site all weekend, we’ve realised what a special place Knebworth is as a backdrop for Sonisphere.

“We’re already working hard on lining up headliners for 2015 and will make further announcements in due course. We want to thank everyone who made Sonisphere 2014 such a special moment and hope that they enjoyed it as much as we did.”

Henry Lytton Cobbold, who owns Knebworth House, said: “Sonisphere fans are our favourite of all the concerts we stage. They are so passionate about the music and so happy to be at Knebworth that we love to see them coming up the hill each year, it’s a great thrill.”

Hertfordshire Constabulary say they received approximately 60 reports of crime from the festival – the majority of which were thefts but also included a “small number” of low-level assaults - including one incident on Friday in which a man was hospitalised after receiving injuries to his face and jaw.

Superintendent Simon Hawkins, who was in charge of planning for the event said: “I would like to thank all of those who came to the event to enjoy themselves - we are sure the experience was a good one. I would also like to thank members of the local community for their patience, particularly drivers who’ve faced delays in recent days.

“The biggest problems we face at events such as these are the overwhelming numbers of lost phones, wallets or purses that have now been recovered. We currently have around 60 reported crimes, the majority of these being thefts and a small number of low level assaults. However, it is highly likely that these people may have lost their personal property or it dropped from their pocket or bag.”

• Click on the link in the top right-hand corner to see more pictures from the weekend.