A dad has hit out after claiming scores of people were smoking drugs at a ‘family friendly’ music and science festival.

Lee Taylor, 46, took his partner and six-year-old daughter to Bluedot Festival held at the Jodrell Bank observatory in Cheshire this weekend.

Held in the grounds of the world famous Lovell telescope it combined top music acts with exhibitions aimed at 'entertaining and inspiring' those interested in the extraterrestrial.

However, Lee says his family’s day was ruined by the 'extensive and prolific' drug use within the arena.

Lee, from Stockport , says he spotted of a number of people smoking cannabis and other stronger variants of the drug throughout the day.

(Image: Hayley Taylor)

And he says once Saturday’s headline act, electronica star Jean-Michel Jarre, came on stage there 'was an almost constant smell of it'.

He says he pointed out two separate groups to security but claims they were only told merely to refrain and he believes they should have been ejected.

Organisers of the three day event said they had a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to drugs and worked with the police.

Lee, who paid just under £120 for tickets for the three of them, told the M.E.N: “My daughter is obsessed with space so we were really looking forward to it.

“But the last thing I expected at an event that had been billed as being family-friendly was people smoking cannabis and skunk.

“I’m not stupid and could tell the smell a mile off.

“It wasn’t just one or two people either.

“I’ve been to other music festivals and people were thoroughly searched with sniffer dogs and amnesty bins at the gate.

“But there was none of that and apart from a quick look inside your bag there didn’t appear to be much in the way of security.

“And when we informed them they just asked them to stop.

“But many of them just ignored them or became a bit more discreet.

“It’s just really disappointing. At the end of the day it’s illegal.

“I would have been within my rights to call the police and tell them I suspected there was drug use in the area but you expect security to handle that.

“My daughter loves everything to do with space but I would be wary about her bringing her next year because I don’t want her surrounded by that.”

The festival said: “Organisers work closely with the local police and other agencies to put procedures in place to ensure the event maintains an enjoyable and secure environment for all its customers.

“A zero tolerance approach to illegal substances is implemented with proactive security measures in place.”

Others at the festival complained about parking and transport issues with festival organisers apologising for any inconvenience caused.