Police officers confiscated 400 poppers from a stallholder at the Parklife Weekender after five people, including a 26-year-old woman, were taken to hospital after drinking the form of legal high bought inside the arena.

A total of 55 arrests were made by police — 26 more than last year — on suspicion of drug dealing, theft and assault over the weekend.

But local observers who monitored the two-day musical extravaganza in Heaton Park admitted it had run more smoothly for neighbours than last year.

Residents complained about noise, parking and vandalism, though local councillors said gripes were dealt with much swifter than last year.

Cllr Alan Quinn, who lives in Whittaker Lane and patrolled the park's perimeter throughout the event with several fellow councillors, said: "It wasn't perfect, but it was much better.

"The new community taskforce dealt with problems quickly and efficiently. We're moving in the right direction."

At a Prestwich Township Forum meeting at the Longfield Suite last Thursday evening, some residents complained they had not received residents-only parking permits, particularly in Cudworth Road and Carver Avenue, but festival organisers delivered dozens of permits on Friday before the Courteeners show that evening.

Prestwich resident Tony Mulholland complained to Royal Mail about post boxes being sealed and Parklife organisers told him by email that it was to prevent people putting rubbish in them during the festival.

A Royal Mail spokesman said it taped off five post boxes and apologised for any inconvenience.

Gary Jones, of Marshbrook Drive, Blackley, complained to a response team based at Maccabi Social Club in Bury Old Road, Prestwich, about stage noise and scores of others in Moston and Cheetham Hill claimed noise made their windows shake.

Mr Jones said: "It was loud, particular in the evenings, and we could hear the stage over our own TV and radio."

Parklife organisers said a change in the stage layout might explain the rise in noise complaints from people living south of the park.

Others complained about public urination and organisers sent out a cleansing team to deal with the incidents.

On Twitter, Joe Hague said: "It's great to see the impact team reacting to the public so quickly.

"Litter pickers, the cleansing team and security are everywhere."

Transport for Greater Manchester officials said a tram taking revellers from Manchester city centre to the park was stopped after someone pressed the emergency alarm, causing delays on the line.

Cllr Quinn said a house window that was smashed in Whittaker Lane over the weekend was repaired at the expense of Parklife organisers,

He added: "Staff outside the arena were efficient. They had radios and were very hands-on.

"The police were magnificent. Having bigger bins helped this year and the jet-wash team was good.

"There were aspects of anti-social behaviour, but not on the same scale as last year."

Manchester City Council said it was still compiling complaints statistics.

Chief Inspector Gary Simpson, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "Most of the people that were at Parklife were good-natured and well-behaved and it was great to see people enjoying what Manchester has to offer.

"Sadly, we had number of people taken ill after drinking poppers at the festival.

"Fortunately no-one is in a life-threatening condition, but I cannot stress enough the risk you are taking with any 'legal high' including taking poppers.

"We are investigating the sale of these poppers and I want to stress the seriousness of selling or distributing them and urge people to stay away from them."

Parklife organisers said they were encouraged by the positive feedback about the community taskforce.

Referring to the poppers issue, an event spokesman added: "As soon as we became aware of the incident, we withdrew the poppers from sale.

"We are offering assistance to the police as they look into the issue."

A clean-up operation is underway this week and the park will be completely back to normal by June 22.

Park neighbours are invited to a post-event feedback session at The Orangery within the park at 5pm to 8pm on July 1.

* Parklife reviews: see page 9