ARMED police will be attending Cumbria's biggest music festival as organisers look to reassure festival-goers in the wake of the terror attacks in London and Manchester.

An estimated 25,000 fans will be heading to Lowther Deer Park, near Penrith, next weekend to see the likes of the Stereophonics and the Manic Street Preachers headline Kendal Calling.

But with a sell-out crowd and recent atrocities fresh in the memory, organisers and Cumbria Police are taking no chances where safety is concerned.

Officers carrying guns will be at the festival but police chiefs have urged people not to be scared as they have been deployed only as a precaution, drawing on national advice for larger events.

Festival director Ben Robinson said: "Our first priority is the safety and welfare of everyone on site with us for the weekend.

"We work incredibly hard, with Cumbria Police and all our partners, to provide a safe environment for the entire Kendal Calling family.

"The team that helps us make Kendal Calling happen - Cumbria Police, St John’s Ambulance, the local authorities, our event management, production, security, stewarding and welfare partners - is second to none and we are proud to work with such professionals.

"We ask all our festival-goers to do their bit by looking out for themselves and each other and to help us make it the best Kendal Calling yet."

Superintendent Justin Bibby said: "Cumbria Police work closely with the organisers of Kendal Calling to ensure the safety of festival goers, which is our primary concern.

"Following the recent tragic events across the country we will continue our armed presence to ensure that people can enjoy the event and remain confident of their safety. Those attending should not be alarmed by this – we are there to keep you safe."

Festival-goers are being treated to a world-class line-up, which includes Franz Ferdinand, Frank Turner, Tinie Tempah, Editors and Jake Bugg.

Initiatives introduced last year to protect people from the dangers of drug use will be continued.

Mr Bibby added: "To help us do this [keep people safe], we ask that you all take care of yourselves and of each other.

"Leave valuables at home, be vigilant and report anything you believe to be of concern, and remember that even one experience with illegal substances can be enough to prove fatal.

"Our dog handlers and police dogs will be on site and at all the entry gates to detect and prosecute those who intend on supplying drugs, and urge anyone thinking of bringing drugs into Kendal Calling to not take the risk.

"We want everyone to enjoy the music and the atmosphere of Kendal Calling, and ask you all to do so responsibly."

Despite the extensive security measures and controls in place to prevent drugs getting on site, the organisers acknowledge that illegal substances are likely to be consumed.

After a successful pilot at the 2016 festival, independent drugs advice service The Loop will be on site to protect festival-goers and help them make informed choices through Multi Agency Safety Testing (MAST).

Substances of concern can be taken to The Loop advice point within the festival site for testing using a range of laboratory techniques.

Results will be given to festival-goers as part of a free, confidential information package by trained and experienced drugs workers.