A MAJOR music festival is set to return to Prestwich — but GCSE pupils will be barred.

Organisers of Parklife Weekender have revealed that next year's event will take place at Heaton Park on June 11 and 12, subject to confirmation from Manchester City Council, with about 75,000 people attending per day.

There will also be a 25,000-capacity show on the evening of June 10, similar to last year's concert by The Courteeners.

Parklife has been held in Heaton Park each summer since 2012 and, after attracting a sizeable amount of controversy in the first few years due to serious crime and anti-social behaviour, cleaned up its act this year.

Organisers said they hope the council will give the 2016 event the green light before Christmas so that discounted 'early bird' tickets could go on sale in early December, if permission is granted by then.

However, under-17s are not invited to the party.

Two headteachers, including Andrea Letcher, from St Monica's RC High School, have written to Parklife organisers to describe the negative effect the festival has on students who then sit crucial exams the day after.

Jon Drape, of Parklife organisers Ground Control, said: "In response to this, we will no longer be permitting under-17s into the festival.

"It is important that people taking their GCSE exams are able to focus on their studies.

"We have a great relationship with St Monica's and some of their sixth-form students even came on the site in the run-up to this summer's festival to learn about event organisation and we are able to use their car park during the festival."

Mr Drape last week met with councillors at Heaton Park Farm Centre to review this summer's event and plan for next year.

Prestwich councillors want the festival to set up a £30,000 annual fund for good causes based in the town,

Mr Drape said that, while Parklife is looking to do more for local organisations, they had to be fair to everyone.

"Last year, we gave money to Jigsaw and the Super Josh charities, both of which are based in Bury, and we are aiming to do something similar next year," said Mr Drape.

He added: "However, other areas of Manchester are affected by the festival as Prestwich are, so we have to come up with something that is fair to everyone."