POLICE have warned Wimborne Folk Festival revellers that there will be strict enforcement of the town's alcohol ban during the three-day event.

The colourful extravaganza which regularly attracts up to 30,000 visitors kicks off this Friday with more than 1,200 dancers travelling to take part.

With live bands, street dancing, the main parade, a street craft fair on the Sunday and no less than three ceilidhs, the event promises to be as popular as ever.

However, in recent years there have been claims that excessive drinking has threatened to overtake the spirit of the event.

Last year a heavy police presence ensured the festival remained largely trouble-free.

This year officers have warned festival-goers there will be a tough approach taken again with the emphasis on enforcing the "no drinking in the streets" rule.

Community sergeant Steve Strickland said: "There will be a large police presence throughout the festival. There is a bylaw in place in Wimborne which forbids drinking in the town centre and surrounding area and we will be enforcing that throughout."

The police have the full support of festival organisers Brian and Marie Bisp, who have frequently raised their concerns that the event was being hijacked by the few intent on turning it into a booze festival.

Last year the couple were delighted after police made record numbers of arrests in connection with public order offences.