V FESTIVAL celebrated its 21st birthday and coming of age with stars lighting up the night sky.

About 50,000 music fans were at Hylands Park in Chelmsford to enjoy performances by some of the biggest artists in the world.

Artists, including Justin Bieber, Sia, Rhianna and Faithless, joined hundreds of other performers to share their music with their fans.

Bieber fans from as far as Norway attended to mark the 22-year-old’s worldwide tour to promote his latest album Purpose.

However, while the star, who has sold 100 million records, played favourites including Boyfriend, Baby, Love Yourself and Cold Water, some were disappointed with his performance.

Arvid Johansen, 23, from Oslo, described Bieber was aloof.

He said: “My girlfriend and I have waited for months to see Justin perform for the first time, and when we heard he was coming to England, we booked flights.

“It is great to see him in person, but he didn’t seem very interested.

“It’s a shame, but I guess when you get as big as Justin has he can get away with anything.”

Bieber, perhaps one of the most recognisable faces in the world, admitted to the 50,000 attendees he was “hungover” after arriving in a helicopter on Saturday.

Bieber told the crowd: “I’m having the best time of my life - although I’m a little hungover.”

But while floods of people took to social media to complain about the set, scores of artists were praised for their musical talent and style.

Dance giants Faithless performed a rapturous set and Grammy award winning fashion maven Foxes turned up the heat on the MTV stage in a western inspired denim outfit.

And while fashion took prominence on stage, it played as significant a role in the dance arenas.

High wasted denim shorts, colourful crop tops and Aztec prints abounded, alongside flower garlands, Indian head pieces and creative arrays of fancy dress.

However, there were also some problems. Police officers made 12 arrests and evicted 16 people during the first day of the festival.

Specialist officers are deployed around the site and found a batch of wristbands believed to be stolen from a trader.

Six men were subsequently arrested, three on suspicion of handling goods and three on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud.

Five people were arrested on suspicion of drug offences and one on suspicion of assault.

Police are also appealing for information after a woman was sexually assaulted on her way home from V after she got inside a car believing it was a taxi.

The woman in her 20s was approached by a man driving a dark Mondeo as she walked along Greenbury Way between 9.30pm and 10.30pm on Saturday.

After she got in the car, the man drove a short distance before sexually assaulting her.

The victim managed to get out of the car before running away to raise the alarm.

Det Sgt Danny Cooper of the Sexual Offences Investigation Team, said: “Inquiries are ongoing and specially trained officers are providing support to the victim.

“I would advise people to be vigilant when travelling alone. and to ensure they only use taxis from companies they have contacted themselves or they have found at authorised taxi ranks.

“Any authorised taxi service will display a plate on the rear of the vehicle and a licence containing a photograph of the driver inside the vehicle. If either of these are not on display then play it safe and don’t get in.”

Anyone with information should contact Det Sgt Danny Cooper on 101 or can give information to the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.