Thousands of revellers are preparing for the third annual Somerley Tea Party, which starts tomorrow.

The festival, in the grounds of Lord Normanton's stately home near Ringwood, is expected to attract about 8,000 fans.

This year's line-up includes Radio 1 stars Annie Mac and B.Traits, plus bass sensation Joy Orbison.

It was given the go ahead after a seven-hour meeting of New Forest District Council's licensing sub-committee earlier this year.

Police had opposed the application, citing safety issues and the widespread drug abuse said to have taken place at last year's event.

Superintendent Alison Heydari said the plan also failed to address one of the main issues that arose last year - the risk of death or serious injury involving pedestrians leaving the Verwood Road entrance to the site.

Chief Inspector Simon Tribe added: "A significant number of people will simply try to walk away from the event, given the perceived proximity of Ringwood.

"None of the roads in the area are lit and most have no pavements.

"I envisage there will be a significant risk of car-versus-pedestrian accidents and remain unconvinced that the venue is a suitable location for events such as this."

Other officers cited the "significant" drug taking that occurred at last year's event.

PC Lee Scott, who watched many of the fans arrive, said: "In my belief the vast majority were under the influence of drink, drugs or both."

The 2016 festival is expected to attract up to 8,000 fans - almost double the number who flocked to the one-day celebration held last year.

But Philip Day, representing the applicants, said "highly professional" people had put a huge amount of planning into the 2016 festival.

He added: "There will be a detailed security plan - you can be confident that the organisers will produce a safe event.

"There were a lot of police at the event last year and they didn't arrest a single soul. If people were clearly under the influence of drugs, why didn't the police use their powers to stop and search them?"