Youth Beatz festival to introduce admission charge

The Youth Beatz festival in the Dock Park in Dumfries has been free in its first three years

An event billed as Scotland's biggest free youth music festival is to charge for admission for the first time this summer.

Launched three years ago, Youth Beatz has featured headline acts like N-Dubz, Chipmunk and Basshunter.

The Dumfries event has seen some external funding run out and payment for tickets is now being proposed.

A report to Dumfries and Galloway Council said it would cost £46,000 to keep the festival free.

In order to ensure the Dock Park event remains viable, ticket prices of £4 and £5 are being proposed.

The authority insists the charge is low compared to other high-profile concerts but admits the introduction of admission fees could lead to a drop in attendance - which last year was about 9,000.

A report recommending the proposed ticket prices has been prepared for members of the council's Nithsdale Area Committee.