MUSIC fans will have to provide a negative Covid-19 test or proof of vaccination to be allowed into a festival in Brighton over three weekends this summer.

Brighton Rugby Club plans to host the Life festival at Waterhall over three successive weekends starting on Friday, July 31.

With the recent spike in coronavirus cases locally, the club was required to draw up a covid safety plan.

And the organisers required permission from the council as landowner, councillors were told at a meeting at Hove Town Hall.

Permission was granted by the council’s Policy and Resources (Recovery) Sub-Committee after it heard about some of the precautions being taken by the organisers.

A thousand Covid test kits have been obtained already – and those attending the house music festival will be encouraged to wear a face mask, with free masks to be made available.

Labour councillor John Allcock was concerned about potential disruption if people arrived without tickets.

He said: “If it becomes an uber-popular event, this could prompt a large number of people to turn up who may be disappointed if no tickets are available or it’s sold out.

“This makes us consider how the festival can be contained within its perimeter – it’s in fields – how to ensure extra people do not just walk in.”

The council’s assistant director for culture, tourism and sport, Donna Chisholm, said that security planning for the events and the location – on the edge of Brighton rather than in the centre – made it less likely that people would “drift in”.

Conservative councillor Alistair McNair said that it was a good opportunity for young people to enjoy themselves after a “tough time” for all.

He said: “It’ll be really good to see this type of event happen again.”

If it could be done safely, next year more events like it would be able to take place, he said, adding: “It would be good to see this as a test event. I hope it is successful.”

Headline acts over the three weekends include Sash and Digweed, Nightmares on Wax, Norman Jay and a DJ set from Orbital.

Have you got a story for us? Email news@theargus.co.uk or contact us here.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.

Sign up to our newsletter to get updates sent straight to your inbox.

You can also call us on 01273 021 400.