Hundreds of people turned up for the annual Appleby horse fair but Cumbria police have confirmed it was a mix of members of the gypsy and traveller community and the settled.

Cumbria Police and partner agencies resourced for the likelihood there would be people who arrived on the traditional date.

A police spokesman said: "We believe that about 300 to 400 people were in the Appleby area on Saturday and less on Sunday.

"The numbers were a mixture of Gypsy and Traveller people and people from the settled community.

The vast majority of people who came to Appleby at the weekend were day-trippers attracted by the good weather.

"This is borne out by the low number of caravans in the Appleby area – only around 10 when, usually on Appleby weekend, there would be more than 1,000. We’d like to thank the majority of people who did heed the advice to plan for an August Fair.

"The behaviour of those who travelled was very positive in the main. There were issues initially on Saturday with one or two of the pubs struggling with numbers and enforcing Coronavirus license regulations, with some opting to close early.

Our officers in the town on Saturday were often approached by residents who wanted to know why police were not moving people on – specifically Gypsy and Traveller people – or sending them home.

"While it is expected that some of those living in Appleby will have been frustrated to see visitors this weekend, it is important for people to understand that Police have no powers under current Coronavirus legislation to prevent anyone from travelling where they like domestically for a holiday, day-trip, etc. It is equally important that people understand the police enforce the law indiscriminately.

"Just as Appleby was busy, so were many other places in Eden and the wider county. Pooley Bridge, for example, was extremely busy at the weekend and it would be entirely wrong for police officers to treat Gypsy and Traveller families travelling to Appleby for a day out any differently to a family from the settled community travelling to Pooley Bridge".

Billy Welch, on behalf of the gypsy and travelling community said: "There was a small number of of people from our community at Appleby and they preserved the charter and the date for the horse fair.

"We'd like to thank 99.97 per cent of members from the gyspy and travelling community who didn't show up and abided by the covid rules it was a very big help.

"It was a lovely day there was lots of tourits who came on a steam train and they loved it.

"We want to thank the police for the great work they did.

"This is just a taste of what is coming to the fair on August 12, I'm looking forward to it, it will be brilliant."