Thousands of travellers from across Europe have begun to arrive in Cumbria as the Appleby Horse Fair gets underway, with locals closing a school and shutting pubs as the festival starts.
Police said they have made arrests for theft and drug driving and been called to the scene of a crash where a horse died and three people were injured before the fair started.
A total of 30,000 visitors are expected to congregate in the small town of Appleby-in-Westmorland and neighbouring Kirkby Stephen for the annual four-day event.
Around 10,000 of these will be members of the gypsy, Roma and traveller community, with the 250-year-old fair billed as the largest traditional gathering of the community in Europe.
Travellers have already begun to arrive in the town, with many bringing horses, ponies and carriages with them to 'the New Fair'.
