An anti-drugs message is to be taken to the festival this year

Gretna Football Club is to provide free coaching and training sessions to youngsters at the event.

The move is being made in association with local drugs support organisation The First Base Agency.

Its education manager, Mark Frankland, said that sport was one of the best ways of delivering an anti-drugs message to young people.

The Dumfries-based agency is a designated charity of the Wickerman festival.

It spends much of its time and resources helping young people and their families deal with the heroin problem in south west of Scotland.

By getting young people involved in sport, we can promote the anti-drugs message and maintain their interest Mark Frankland First Base Agency

Through its partnership with First Base, Gretna already provides free coaching and training facilities to youngsters through schools in Dumfries and Galloway.

Now it will deliver a similar scheme at the Wickerman festival on 21 and 22 July near Kirkcudbright.

First Base will also accompany the team at the festival, with a stand offering information and advice on drug abuse.

"Sport, particularly football, provides an effective means of communicating a strong anti-drugs message to young people," said Mr Frankland.

"By getting young people involved in sport, we can promote the anti-drugs message and maintain their interest.