Visitors to Appleby Horse Fair are being encouraged not to arrive in the town too early - so not they do not disrupt preparations for General Election.

This year's fair begins on Thursday, June 8, the same day as people go to the polls.

Authorities helping to keep fairgoers and locals safe always ask travellers not to arrive in the town too early to help their efforts but are being particularly urged this time around because of the election.

There is expected to be more local people in and around the town than usual because of election day.

Gypsy and traveller Billy Welch, a member of the Multi Agency Co-ordinating Group (MASCG), who work to make the fair safer each year, said: "Gypsies and travellers have responded really well to our appeals over the past few years not to arrive too early for Appleby Fair with their trailers.

"People planning their journeys to Appleby using the temporary stopping places provided make a real difference to the impact the fair has on local communities.

"So if you are bringing your trailer to Appleby please respect the fair, plan your journey carefully using the information about stopping places available at www.applebyfair.org, so you don’t arrive too early.

"By doing this you not only help improve road safety, but allow more space on road side verges for grazing and bowtops.”

Temporary Chief Superintendent Mark Pannone, from Cumbria Police, said: "Our priority is always the safety of everyone involved in the Fair, including gypsies and travellers, visitors to the Fair and the local population.

"With this in mind, we ask that those gypsies and travellers coming to this year’s event to heed the advice and to not arrive too early in order to avoid causing problems on the road network.

"It is the hope of everyone involved in the fair that this year’s event passes off safely and is thought of positively by the gypsy and traveller community, visitors to Appleby and the local population."

Eden District Council's chief executive and MASCG chairman Dr Robin Hooper, said: "The General Election is taking place on the June 8, 2017, the first day of Appleby Horse Fair.

"Preparations are being made locally to ensure the polling stations in the Appleby area are open as normal from 7am to 10pm, so people who are registered to vote locally are able to do so."