Kendal Calling: Thousands of music fans heading to Lowther Deer Park

About 40,000 music fans are making their way to Cumbria's Kendal Calling festival.

The four-day event, at Lowther Deer Park near Penrith, is sold out.

Performers include Nile Rodgers and Chic, Rick Astley, Kasabian, and the Kaiser Chiefs, with more than 100 acts across its nine stages.

Drivers are being warned of increased traffic on the M6, with major delays to roads leading to the site, especially between midday and 18:00 BST on Friday.

The festival spans an area of about 2,000 acres, with about 5,000 staff working there at its peak.

Andy Smith, one of the co-founders, said he was confident it would all run smoothly.

"We have done this 17 times before, it's lovely to be back in the rhythm of things," he said.

"It's stressful, there's a lot going on, a lot of things to co-ordinate but we know what we are doing and we are very excited."

An anti-drugs operation is also taking place by Cumbria Police, using sniffer dogs and officers carrying out sweeps of the grounds and surrounding areas.

The force, which has been working with organisers, said it would be conducted "regularly" until the festival ends.

Drug checking is often carried out at festivals, where illegal substances are tested and notifications put out if any are found to be dangerous.

Previously, independent festivals have tended to use charity The Loop, whose professional volunteers have been able to test without a licence due to agreements with local police and councils.

Mr Smith said it was a "disgrace" that the Home Office had recently made changes to its rules, which saw groups previously used on site require a licence at short notice.

"Sadly, very regretfully, the Home Office had reinterpreted the rules and they have decided that that's not something we are allowed to do any more," he said.

"Kendal Calling can't do it, numerous other festivals and other business across the country can't do it, and really, when one looks into it, it's all about harm reduction and that should be at the forefront of everyone's minds.

"Quite frankly I don't know what the Home Office is thinking."

The Home Office said for the past 50 years drug testing providers "must have a licence" to test for controlled drugs, including at festivals, which they can apply for.

"We continue to keep an open dialogue with any potential applicants who wish to apply for a licence," a spokesperson said.

Kendal Calling, the biggest festival in Cumbria, was first held in 2006 with about 900 people attending.

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