POLICE have issued a tough anti-drugs message as tens of thousands on people prepare to descend on the Isle of Wight for Bestival this weekend.

Up to 60,000 festival-goers will arrive at Robin Hill Country Park on the island for this year’s event which has headliners Major Lazer, The Cure, Sean Paul & Wiz Khalifa.

Also on the Bestival bill are Bastille, Years & Years, Katy B, Hot Chip, Carl Cox, Diplo, Fatboy Slim, Skepta, and Southampton’s Craig David.

Hampshire Police say anyone caught with drugs or legal highs will be kicked off the site and could face prosecution.

Superintendent Andy Houghton, Silver Commander for Bestival 2016, said officers would adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards illegal substances.

He added: “We have worked alongside Isle of Wight Council, Island Roads, and Bestival’s traffic management organisers to minimise traffic congestion on the roads surrounding the site, although as with any event, traffic on those routes will be heavy especially on the Thursday as people arrive, and Monday as people exit.

“We’ll also be working closely with the ferry companies and patrolling routes on the mainland to ensure that traffic doesn’t cause an issue elsewhere. Please follow all agencies social media feeds for the latest updates.

“We will be maintaining a robust position on drugs and psychoactive substances, all of which are banned from the site.

“If you are found with drugs or psychoactive substances you will at the very least be ejected from site and barred from returning, and there is a very good chance you will be arrested and prosecuted.

“Even just dabbling in illegal drugs and psychoactive substances can have catastrophic or fatal consequences – you might believe you’ll be fine, but how do you know?

“The only way to be certain is not to take any at all.

“That’s why we will be enforcing a zero-tolerance policy towards any of these substances at Bestival 2016.

“We will also be working with retailers on site to ensure that they are observing the legislation around psychoactive substances that was introduced earlier this year.”