Homelands 2002, the all-night dance music festival, is expected to attract over 50,000 revellers to Cheesefoot Head, Winchester, this weekend.

Council officials and police are gearing up for the event, with 400 officers and support staff drafted in to ensure the festival passes peacefully.

Sniffer dogs will be on patrol to crack down on illegal drug use and health officers will be on hand to check on-site facilities such as water supply, sanitary accommodation, health and safety, catering and litter clearance.

It all starts at noon on Saturday and finishes at 7am on Sunday. The festival, run by the Mean Fiddler organisation, is set to feature many top UK dance, house and garage acts.

Controversy surrounded the event earlier this year when chart-topping band, So Solid Crew, were billed to appear.

The band had been forced to call off their UK tour due to concerns about possible violence after incidents at gigs last year.

And when police and council chiefs expressed fears about safety if they were to appear at Homelands the band decided to pull out.

In 2001, over 30,000 attended and 47 were arrested for drug offences. Sgt Richard Stowe, in charge of policing, said: "Our priority is to target dealers and remove from circulation as many illegal drugs as we can. We want to reassure the people of Winchester, Alresford and surrounding villages of this."

Measures have been taken to minimise the impact on nearby residents and the council has set-up a number of phone helpline numbers for the public concerned about the event.

Numbers before the event are-noise nuisance issues: 01962 840222 ext. 2488; for all other issues: 01962 840222 ext. 2188. During the event-for noise nuisance issues: 01962 863493, and all other issues: 01962 865407.

There will be some minor road closures, but alternative routes will be clearly signposted.