POLICE made 55 arrests at the Parklife Festival in Heaton Park this weekend — nearly double the amount seen at last year's event.

More than 75,000 revellers attended the festival, with the arrests ranging from supplying drugs to theft and assault.

But police said the vast majority of the Parklife went without incident, but a number of people were taken ill over the weekend after drinking legal highs known as poppers which were sold by the festival.

A 26-year-old woman is recovering in hospital.

Ch Insp Gary Simpson said: "Most of the people that were at Parklife were good-natured and well-behaved and it was great to see people enjoying what Manchester has to offer.

"Most of the arrests were targeted towards drug-dealers in an operation to tackle the supply of drugs, after concerns were raised.

"Sadly, we had number of people taken ill after drinking poppers at the festival. Fortunately no-one is in a life-threatening condition, but I cannot stress enough the risk you are taking with any 'legal high' including taking poppers.

"We are investigating the sale of these poppers and I want to stress the seriousness of selling or distributing them and urge people to stay away from them."

Last year's Parklife Festival saw violence mar the event for the first time in its four year history after Robert Hart died after being punched near the main stage.

Three men were stabbed with knives over the two days in separate incidents and across the weekend a total of 29 arrests were made by police.