DUNDEE’S newest music festival, Carnival 56, has come under fire after asking music fans to pay for the opportunity to volunteer to work.

Prices start at £115 for a ticket for the two-day event in the city’s Camperdown Park, with chart toppers Mark Ronson, the Fratellis and Clean Bandit all due to headline.

The festival, sponsored by McDonald’s and Red Bull, is currently looking for volunteers willing to work eight-hour shifts as stewards and gate stewards.

In return they’ll be given free camping, and access to the site.

Those keen are told to register with recruitment firm Festaff and pay a £20 deposit and a £15 processing fee.

There’s no guarantee anyone paying the money will actually be selected to volunteer, though Festaff are clear anyone not offered a position will get their deposit and fee returned.

Sarah Collins from the Better Than Zero campaign, accused Carnival 56 of “Dickensian” attitudes to workers, describing it as a “festival of unpaid labour”.

“There’s absolutely no reason why this can’t be a paid job. These festivals do make money. “This is a totally basic thing, being paid is the absolute bare minimum that people should expect”.

Festaff also recruit volunteers for Rewind Festival, Belladrum and Glastonbury.

TRNSMT, which has been on this weekend in Glasgow, does not use volunteers, with all staff paid.

The festival will be the largest open-air music event in Dundee since Radio 1’s Big Weekend was staged in the city in 2006.

Festival organiser Craig Blyth previously told The Courier the city was going through an exciting time just now.

He added: “Events like ours ... are all part of making Dundee great again.”

Carnival 56 did not respond to The National’s request for a comment about the use of volunteers.