ONE of Dorset’s biggest music festivals is to introduce drug-testing facilities following the death of two teenagers at a Hampshire music festival, the Daily Echo can reveal.

Bestival, a four-day musical sensation will be held at the Lulworth Estate later this year and is expected to attract more than 50,000 people.

Under the plans, Bestival will partner with drug charity The Loop to offer attendees facilities to analyse recreational substances to see whether they contain dangerously high levels of intoxicants or whether they have been made with something poisonous.

In a statement released to the Echo, a Bestival spokesman, said: “In the interests of public safety, Bestival has always strongly advised festivalgoers to avoid taking any illegal substances.

“However, harm reduction and customer welfare are our priorities, so we are working with agencies to explore all public health options to ensure the event is safe for all.”

Organisers added that people could use the service without fear of being arrested.

The service will also be introduced following calls from drug experts and campaigners to provide such facilities at all such UK events after Tommy Cowan and Georgia Jones who died after taking at Mutiny Festival in Hampshire last weekend.

They took a high-strength silver Audi ecstasy tablets. Bestival organisers were also forced to defend their policy 25-year-old Louella Michie who died after taking recreational drugs at the Lulworth Festival event last year.

Superintendent Mike Rogers, Dorset Police Gold Commander for Bestival, said: “We take the issue of drug use and supply very seriously and at last year’s event, officers arrested 24 people for possession with intent to supply drugs.

“We have been working with event organisers to ensure robust plans are in place to prevent drug use, including the use of uniformed, plain-clothed officers and drug detection dogs operating on site 24/7.

“Having built upon our experiences of policing Bestival in 2017, public safety continues to be paramount.”