FESTIVAL-goers have been given safety advice about the dangers of both drugs and legal highs ahead of  the festival season.

This weekend sees one of the first events of the year with the Soundclash event being staged this weekend.

Officers from Hampshire Constabulary say they are working closely with organisers to make the event at Somerley in Ringwood "safe and enjoyable".

Around 10,000 people are expected to attend the festival this Sunday, May 1.

The one-day event starts at midday and will run into the early hours of the morning.

Music will start at midday and run until 2am. The main stage will close around 11pm with acts continuing the entertainment within tented stages around the site at a reduced noise until 2am.

Security staff will be on-site to search all of those visiting the festival.

'Amnesty bins' will also be in use for members of the public.

Superintendent Kelly Whiting said: “We have been working hard with the new organisers of this event in a bid to help prevent the problems experienced at the previous event in Eastleigh last autumn are not repeated.

“Unlike that event, we will be present at the festival and have a dedicated plan in place to ensure those attending can enjoy it in a safe environment.

“We would like to reassure residents within the local community that we will be at the event throughout the day and that all music will stop at 11.30pm.

“We are confident the organisers have a robust traffic management plan in place to reduce congestion in the area and we would like to remind those attending that there is no pedestrian access to the event.

“We will be maintaining a robust position on both drugs and legal highs, or new psychoactive substances, all of which are banned from site.

“If you are found with drugs you will at the very least be ejected from site and barred from returning, and there is a very good chance you will be arrested and prosecuted.

“Even just dabbling in illegal drugs and psychoactive substances can have catastrophic or fatal consequences.

“We hope that all those attending have a safe and enjoyable day.”

For more information or advice, visit hampshire.police.uk.