Drone ban order for Download festival airspace

Airspace over this year's Download festival will be restricted to prevent disruption from drones being flown.

The Civil Aviation Authority said it had granted an order to prevent unmanned aircraft over an area a nautical mile (1.852 km) from Donington Park, Leicestershire, from 10 to 15 June.

Leicestershire Police has said it will deploy "specially-trained counter drone officers" to tackle anyone flying drones in or around Download which it said "could put East Midlands Airport and festival goers at risk".

Download campsites open on Wednesday 10 June ahead of three days of rock, metal and alternative music headlined by Limp Bizkit, Guns N' Roses and Linkin Park.

East Midlands Airport has previously warned drone pilots not to fly near the airport during the festival, warning "it could create diversions, delays and risks for passenger and cargo flights".

Drones are among items banned by Download Festival organisers on the site, after disruption was caused in previous years.

In 2022, drones near Download closed East Midlands Airport's airspace at least four times.

And in 2023, counter-drone officers deployed by Derbyshire Police detected an amateur pilot entering the restricted airspace during a flight.

He was subsequently fined almost £1,500 by the courts.

Listen to BBC Radio Leicester on Sounds and follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.