Love Parade UK gets go-ahead

The event could cost local taxpayers up to £500,000

This year's Love Parade UK, a huge outdoor dance festival, will go ahead in Newcastle as planned despite local concerns.

More than 250,000 clubbers are expected to watch up to 20 floats drive through the city centre before stopping for a huge open-air party on Saturday, 21 July.

Newcastle City Council confirmed that it will pay for the event despite reports that it will cost local taxpayers almost £500,000.

Council officials are meeting promoters SFX on Wednesday to make sure requirements for safety and crowd facilities will be met.

The parade will start from the Tyne Bridge

The council has defended its decision to provide financial backing, saying it will recoup most of the outlay through park-and-ride charges for those attending the event.

Up to 30,000 drivers will be charged £10 to park their cars and be bussed to the event.

A European regional development grant will also help cover the cost.

Council leader Tony Flynn said: "I feel everything has been done to address the issues and concerns which have been raised over the months, and I am happy to give my support to this event."

Local economy boost

"I think it's important we are doing something positive for young people, especially in light of our bid to become capital of culture 2008."

The event is expected to pump more than £14m into the local economy and is seen as one of the biggest dance music events of the year.

Last year's parade, which took place in Leeds, was attended by between 100,000 and 400,000 people, according to estimates.

Newcastle residents have said they fear for their property if revellers are not properly controlled.

Up to 400,000 were said to have attended in Leeds

David Swan, a resident of the Jesmond area, told BBC News Online last month: "In Leeds, gardens were used as toilets and rubbish dumps, and some people found needles."

The parade will begin at the Tyne Bridge at 1100BST before the floats park up on Town Moor and continue playing music until 2300BST.

Some of the most popular DJs in the country, including Fatboy Slim, Pete Tong, Judge Jules and Sonique, will appear.

Clubbers then have the option of going to one of more than 12 all-night after parties, including one at the 11,000-capacity Newcastle Arena, where DJs will continue playing until 0800 BST the next morning.

BBC Radio 1 has helped organise the event and is broadcasting coverage from the city between the Friday night and Sunday afternoon.

The annual British event was inspired by the Berlin Love Parade, which has become a legendary techno event since first being held in 1989 - but which is in doubt this year.

Organisers of the Berlin event are planning to stage a Love Parade in Moscow in September.