New police powers for Big Weekend

Madonna will headline the Big Weekend at Maidstone's Mote Park

New powers are to be used by Kent Police to clamp down on anti-social behaviour over Radio One's Big Weekend.

The force has obtained a dispersal order effective from 9 May until the event at Mote Park in Maidstone ends on 11 May.

It means officers will have the right to break-up groups of people around the main venue who do not have tickets and are behaving in an anti-social manner.

Posters have also gone up around the area advising residents of the order.

Superintendent Ian Hall said: "Should officers see anyone from Maidstone who is known for anti-social behaviour and who is not in possession of tickets they will be warned a dispersal order is in place.

"If two or more persons are believed to have been involved in disorder or anti-social behaviour, or there is a likelihood of disorder, then they will be dispersed from the area."

More than half a million people registered online for the 30,000 tickets on offer for the Big Weekend.

The free festival starts on 10 May and will be headlined by Madonna.

Other artists in the line-up include Duffy, Usher, Robyn and the Fratellis.

The Kooks, Scouting for Girls and OneRepublic will also perform on one of the four stages.