A MOTHER whose son died after taking ecstasy has backed an initiative aimed at keeping festival-goers safe.

People travelling to some of this year's biggest UK festivals will be able to get their drugs tested free of charge by drugs service The Loop.

Debbie Pay, who's 18-year-old son Christian died in 2015 after he took ecstasy at Kendal Calling, has said the scheme is a positive way to protect young people.

The Millom mum said: "After losing my son Christian at the Kendal Calling festival in 2015, I think that drug testing on site is a good idea.

"I have been in close correspondence with The Loop with regards to testing tents and they inform me that they are becoming a success.

"We will never be able to stop our young adults and teens from being drug curious so if they are going to try drugs, at least they can have them tested first. It was proven that a rogue drug killed my son."

It's the second year the initiative known as MAST - set up in conjunction with The Loop - has been brought to the festival in order to reduce the dangers surrounding drugs.

Ben Robinson, Kendal Calling director, said: "We have extensive security measures and controls in place to prevent drugs getting on site including detection dogs, robust searches at all gates, amnesty bin with information and police intelligence.

"However we acknowledge that, despite everything we’re doing to prevent it, illegal substances are likely to be consumed on the festival site. The Loop are here to protect our festival-goers and help them make informed choices.”

Festival-goers at this year's Kendal Calling event, held from July 27-30, will be able to take any substances of concern to The Loop tent in the welfare area and find out exactly what they contain, helping them to make an informed decision about whether to consume them or not.

Some of Britain's biggest festivals, including Reading and Leeds, are also poised to introduce the scheme for the first time this summer.


Ms Pay has campaigned for greater drug awareness since her son passed away

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