Shops close down and streets patrolled by cops as thousands of travellers gear up for 2nd day of Appleby Horse Fair
SHOPS have shut down and cops are patrolling the streets as the historic Appleby Horse Fair continues.
Thousands of revellers gathered yesterday for the first day of the fair.
The celebrations have seen thousands of travellers descend on the town, riding horses through the small streets.
And as day two kicks off, cops have been spotted patrolling the streets and roads have been closed to traffic.
Pictures from yesterday’s celebrations show horses being ridden in the River Eden as part of a longstanding tradition.
Tens of thousands of travellers have arrived in the small town for the event, lining the roads nearby with cars, vans and caravans.
Campsites have been set up to accommodate all the visitors, quickly filling with hundreds of caravans.
The six day event features traditional music, dancing, horse riding, market stalls and horses for sale.
Carts and wagons have been pulled through the town by horses as the busy event continues to unfold.
Residents in nearby villages have complained of anti-social behaviour at past events.
The roads of the small town and surrounding area have been lined with travellers arriving to join the festivities.
Today, as the celebrations continued locals have shut their shops and roads are being patrolled by cops.
Signs have been left on doors up and down the busy high street reading “closed” with the whole town effectively shut down.
A huge police presence is in the area for the second day in a row with officers on standby ahead of potential chaos and violence.
RSPCA officers and Blue Cross volunteers are also present, keeping an eye on the welfare of the horses being exercised, bought and sold.
During the 2021 event seven people were arrested.
Travellers and their families have been descending on the town for the fair for 340 years.
The event falls on the first weekend of June and is recognised as the largest of its kind in Europe.
Huge queues have formed along the busy country lanes and town life has ground to a standstill as the fair continues.