A picture posted on Facebook by one young person before heading to Hardcastle gig at Odyssey

THIS is the pic one young person posted on Facebook several hours before a DJ gig took place at the Odyssey Arena.

And it backs up what a former Lord Mayor of Belfast said earlier that police told him kids attending the east Belfast concert tonight were fuelled with drink before going.

It shows a bottle of cider, a quarter bottle of vodka and several packets of suspected white powder drugs in clear plastic bags and a packet of blue pills.

Around 40 people fell ill at the Hardwell DJ concert – with 9 reportedly taken to hospital.

Now DUP councillor Gavin Robinson has called into question the security of the arena if young teenagers were allowed onto the sight with alcohol taken.

Said Cllr Robinson: “I have been told by the PSNI that young people ‘pre-loaded’ with alcohol before the concert.”

He says a question mark now hangs over security at the arena.

Pubs of Ulster chief Colin O’Neill condemned those outlets who sold the young people alcohol before concert.

And he warned pubs in Belfast to be on alert for young people trying to get into licensed premises after the gig.

Around 9 pm, paramedics declared a major incident at the the Odyssey Area in east Belfast.

The Ambulance Service says crews have dealt with 60 young people attending the Hardwell dance concert at the venue became ill.

The latest information is that 20 young people have now been taken to hospital while attending the gig.

A fleet of ambulances af the Odyssey arena on Thursday night after young people fall ill

They are being treated for the effects of overdosing on drugs and alcohol.

According to sources, paramedic crews called in a doctor and a number of ambulances to deal with the emergency.

Scores of police officers, who were on duty in north Belfast at the Twaddell Avenue loyalist protest, have been diverted to the Odyssey.

Police are concerned a public order situation could develop after the concert is over.

All bars have now been shut at the Odyssey.

The Ulster Hospital has put extra staff on standby to help cope with the situation.

A consultant has also been drafted in to help assess patients admitted to A & E.

Former Sinn Fein Lord Mayor of Belfast Niall O’Donnghaile tweeted: “From what I understand the event is carrying on inside and in terms of the overall number attending those affected are still small.”