A popular operatic singer is set to perform at a new festival, despite it yet to have a licence and police concerns.

The Great Music Weekend is due to take place at the Great Lines Heritage Park in Gillingham across the bank holiday weekend in May.

The festival organisers revealed the news on their Facebook page today.

It said: "The Great Music Weekend will proudly welcome the superstar Mezzo-Soprano to its main stage in Medway on Friday 26th May.

"Katherine Jenkins officially became the world’s most successful Classical singer after she was crowned ‘The Biggest Selling Classical Artist of the Century’ by Classic FM.

"She further cemented her title by gaining her 14th Number 1 Album smashing the record books since signing to Universal Classics at the tender age of 22.

"Grab your bow-ties, and pop the champagne as The Great Music Weekend opens with this curated classical show complimented by a live orchestra and world-class classical acts, starring Welsh singing sensation, Katherine Jenkins OBE."

Organisers of the four-day festival say there are plans for five bars, a food court, and fairground rides including a carousel and a ferris wheel.

They previously hosted "Dream Valley" at Lydd Airport, near Ashford, last year.

According to a report submitted to Medway Council's licensing hearing panel, one of the events on Saturday, May 27, is planned to finish at 10.30pm.

The 42-year-old welsh singer will be performing on the Friday, which is due to finish at 9.45pm with a 5,000 capacity.

However, one of the events would have space for 25,000 people.

The organisers want to work with the council to set up road closures on Brompton Road and Malborough Road, which would be closed except for resident and emergency access.

They also say a park and ride service, or a park and walk scheme could be implemented.

Attendees would not be able to camp at any of the events.

Despite this, police have written to the council to say it is concerned about the level of noise the festival will generate, how traffic could impact residents, and the effect pedestrians would have on the town centre as they make their way to the park from the train station.

It reads: "Balance of probability suggests a four-day music festival of up to 25,000 persons each day will generate a significant amount of crime, disorder, anti-social behaviour, and nuisance within the immediate area, namely Gillingham town centre and potentially to the neighbouring towns of Chatham and Rochester, all of which are only a short walk away.

"Such an event is likely to have a massive impact on police resources."

Officers who were at the Dream Valley event said in a report how they observed attendees that were allowed admission despite having drugs on them.

They also noted how there was a report of GBH, people getting through fences and traffic delays – which hindered ambulance access.

The report goes on to say how officers would like to see the event reduced to only one day, which would be treated as a "test event".

In response, Stardust Festivals Ltd said it was "disappointed" in the police's decision to not support its plans.

It also said 10 people were treated at Dream Valley for drugs and alcohol related issues and the event was attended by 15,000 people.

Councillors discussed the plans during a meeting this afternoon. A decision on the licence is set to be made behind closed doors.

Tickets for The Great Music Weekend are due to go on sale on Tuesday, January 31.