Singer Nelson charged over drugs

Willie Nelson has campaigned for the legalisation of marijuana

Musician Willie Nelson has been charged with drug possession after marijuana and magic mushrooms were allegedly found by police on his tour bus.

The country singer and four others were charged with drug possession offences after a routine police stop near Lafayette, Louisiana.

Nelson could face up to six months in jail and an unspecified fine, Reuters news agency reported police as saying.

The 73-year-old star is known to be a long-time user of marijuana.

The singer's tour bus was stopped early on Monday morning about seven miles east of Lafayette.

Police allegedly seized one-and-a-half pounds (0.7kg) of marijuana and two-tenths of a pound (91 grams) of psychedelic mushrooms.

The other passengers were Tony Sizemore, 59; Bobbie Nelson, 75; Gates Moore, 54; and David Anderson, 50.

All were described as "cooperative" by a state police spokesman.