TICKETS have already gone on sale for next year’s Bestival festival at Lulworth Castle, despite district officials confirming no licence has yet been issued for the event.

Organisers announced Bestival will be returning to the Lulworth site for 2018. They want to hold the music festival between August 2-5, the week after its family-friendly sister event, Camp Bestival, takes place at the same venue.

Last year was the first time Bestival was held at the Lulworth Estate, having relocated from the Isle of Wight.

The event was marred by the death of the daughter of Holby City actor John Michie, who apparently took an “illegal substance” before her death at Bestival. Louella Eve Fletcher-Michie, 25, was found dead in a wooded area on the edge of the festival site.

Yesterday, a Purbeck District Council spokesman said: “We confirm the council has not yet issued a licence to allow for this event to go ahead in August. We are expecting an application which will be examined by the council’s licensing committee.

“We will also consult with other authorities, including the police and highways before deciding whether or not to issue a licence.

“Additionally, any residents who consider that they may be affected by the change may make representations to the council if they wish.”

Speaking after the new dates were announced, Bestival organiser Rob da Bank said: “We don’t like to rest on our laurels at Bestival, so after moving location last year we’re now moving date due to popular demand. So many people, from students to doctors and nurses and parents of school-age kids, have always thought we were too late in the season, so we decided 2018 would be a good time to make the move to an early August weekend.

“So, it will be all the same colour, magic and madness but four weeks earlier.” The line-up has not yet been finalised but Bestival will feature Art Car Night Circus Parade, Caravanserai flying trapeze, fire eating, knife throwing, bearded ladies, Insect Circus Museum, sword swallowing, hall of mirrors and circus workshops.