A HUGE clean-up operation has been launched in the aftermath of the popular Appleby Horse Fair.

Tents, burnt-out caravans and sofas were left behind by thousands of travellers who attended the six-day event in Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria.

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Aerial shots of the campsite showed muddy trails across the fields, which were lined with mounds of rubbish.

Stacks of discarded food and drinks could also be seen scattered around the area in the historic market town.

Grazing horses were pictured surrounded by toppled portable loos and cardboard boxes following the visitors’ departure.

Police tape and fences surrounded one burnt-out caravan on the campsite.

It comes after a fire broke out at the 340-year-old event on Saturday afternoon.

Shocking footage on social media showed smoke billowing into the sky as fire crews tackled the blaze.

Many attendees were forced to cover their faces with jumpers and coats to avoid inhaling the toxic smoke.

Stall holders then continued to dismantle their tents and tables next to the fire as it was slowly brought under control.

During this time, police officers also formed a barricade in order to protect groups of people from getting close to the fire.

Cumbria Police confirmed that the cause of the fire was not being treated as suspicious.

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The fair’s Multi Agency Strategic Coordinating Group (MASCG), which includes local police, confirmed that some 80 people were arrested at the fair this year.

The number is marginally higher than the 74 recorded last year.

A total of 123 arrests were made this year under the Appleby Horse Fair policing operation, including those made in the weeks building up to the event.

Gold Commander for Appleby Horse Fair, Detective Superintendent Dan St Quintin, said: “My officers have once again been on the front-foot and proactive in their efforts to make this event as safe as we can.

“The results of their efforts – and the goodwill of the vast majority of people in all communities – is fewer crimes recorded and a fair which has seen zero incidents of significant disorder or violent incidents.

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“I would like to thank all communities for this, whilst also paying tribute to my officers for their outstanding work in recent days and weeks, during challenging circumstances, including the extremely wet weather we saw on Saturday.”

It is estimated that 10,000 gypsies and travellers, as well as 30,000 other visitors, attend the fair each year.

The 340-year-old fair typically features traditional music, dancing, horse riding, market stalls and horse sales.

Horsemen and women have been seen riding their horses in the nearby River Eden as part of a long-held tradition.

Market stalls are also propped up across the tiny town – home to around just 3,200 people – selling a variety of traditional traveller goods and horse-related products.

Hundreds of campervans and horse-drawn carriages descend upon the rural town for the annual event.

RSPCA officers are also present, looking out for the welfare of the hundreds of horses that are exercised, bought and sold.

In 2020, it was cancelled due to the Covid pandemic, but huge crowds have returned to the event in recent years.

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