PROMOTER Matthew Broadfield has brought in a new event management specialist to help persuade police and council officials that the Fenland Festival later this month is safe to go ahead.

A licensing committee hearing was postponed last month until Thursday to allow Mr Broadfield time to convince the authorities the event- expected to attract 3,500 festival goers- is well managed.

The festival, featuring celebrity DJs and pop star Simon Webbe from Blue, has been advertised as taking place between 10am and 8pm on August 27 at The Auction Ground, March, off the A141 bypass.

The company now handling safety says a fire risk assessment shows the site could hold many tens of thousands of people but with only 3,500 festival goers evacuation would be simple in the event of fire.

The report also covers traffic, alcohol, sanitation, ticketing, stewarding, and public order and claims all have been covered properly.

Expected ages of those attending will be predominantly 18-35 and the organisers say a large proportion are expected to be regular and experienced music goers in a nightclub environment.

“However due to their limited outdoor lives music environment knowledge they may not be mentally prepared for the weekend including clothing and other arrangements to deal with wet weather,” says a report to the committee.

“Increased level of vigilance from steward and security services will be enforced at all times. The security will need to monitor the crowd to see if there are rival factions and if these develop to disperse them quickly and constantly assess the situation.”

A zero drugs tolerance will be implemented, says the report. and noise levels will be monitored to ensure the safety of both the crowd and those working on the festival.

Mr Broadfield has promised local residents a dedicated phone number to enable quick access to the organisers’ control room.