PLANS for a pagan music festival - dubbed a 'mini-Glastonbury' - have been lashed by residents who fear it will wreck the countryside and encourage drug use.

Organisers of the three-day Shamania festival between Burnley and Colne have not yet been licensed to hold the event at the end of July, but it is already being advertised on internet rave sites.

Hundreds are expected to arrive in fields at Back Lane and Delves Lane, Nelson, near the Coldwell Activity Centre, on July 27.

Managers Enlightened Entertainments have applied for amplified music from live DJs and bands until 3am on two of the five stages.

On another stage, "psychedelic trance" dance music is set to be played constantly from Friday night until Sunday.

Visitors will camp on part of the 30 acre site, with car parking on another area and the stages and stalls in the centre.

The whole site will be fenced off, with portable toilets installed, marquees set up and large music and lighting rigs erected.

As well as live music the event, which will celebrate the Celtic fire festival Lammas, will include theatre performances, roaming entertainers and workshops in different methods of fortune-telling.

The festival was first held last year, on fields at Dockber Laithe Farm, Sawley.

The organisers said they moved to the new site in Nelson on "ethical grounds" after it emerged that the Sawley site was also used for BNP rallies. It is hoped that double the number of people will attend the event this year.

Residents near the Pendle site have objected to the licence application.

Ronald Smith, of Clarion House, Shelfield Lane, said: "I have spoken to a few people near where they had it last year and they said it was horrendous.

"They left a huge mess, there was a lot of noise and I have even heard stories of people on drugs running round with no clothes on.

"People round here aren't very keen on it at all, and we're amazed that they are selling tickets for this before they have even got permission.

"We are deeply concerned about the amount of noise created by this event, as well as people camping at the venue, causing disturbance to the wildlife, and to people who pay high rates to live in this area.

"There are plenty of public parks and other venues where something like this could be properly organised."

Maureen Dunn, of Little Moss Farm, added: "I will be screaming from the rooftops if this gets a licence."

Adrian Lord, who is to run the event with Warwick Gardner, who also set up the Pendle Witch Camp in fields above Trawden in 2004, said there would be dedicated teams to deal with debris, and drug use would not be condoned although those affected by drugs would be provided with welfare.

He said: "The concept was developed as a response to various ideas suggested to us, including the requirement for a good Northern music festival, akin to a mini-Glastonbury.

"We will build on the knowledge gained from the steep learning curve that was experienced while organising last year's festival, particularly with regard to management of sound levels and providing adequate security cover in order to produce a world-class festival this year.

"Our main aim is to create a friendly festival with a secure and safe environment in which clients can relax, dance and enjoy the weekend with their families."

Pendle Council's licensing committee will meet on Monday .