PEOPLE living in a rural Herefordshire village which has been the centre of a mass gathering overnight are "hunkering down" as a council pleads for villagers to stay away from ravers.

Chairman of Dorstone Parish Council Tony Usher said most revellers have been polite and no incidents in the village have so far been reported to him, he says there are several things locals are concerned about.

He said litter, sheep worrying and human excrement were all issues on the minds of villagers, with rumours locally suggesting ravers plan to carry on the meet tonight (Sunday).

Coun Usher said it was shortly after midnight when an increase in traffic was noticed, and taxis were seen dropping people off in the village, which is in the Golden Valley near Herefordshire's border with Wales.

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West Mercia Police was called in the early hours of Sunday morning, and officers remain on scene.

Party-goers are still on Vagar Hill, to the south-west of the village, with cars parked along narrow lanes leading to the summit.

"We had people walking on the street during much of early hours of the morning," he added.

"Not many, and they weren't noisy, and no one seemed to be causing problems.

"I did have one of my neighbours report an incident with some inebriated people who trespassed onto their garden, but that was diffused fairly quickly by the property owner.

"I think the family outnumbered them, but there's a fair degree of concern.

"They may have been polite, but once they've had a few ales or whatever, and are hungry and tonight if they're up there bl**dy cold, one assumes us being the nearest community they wil be looking for succour.

"I know it's something the parishoners, particularly some of the elderly and those living on their own, have concerns over."

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Mass gatherings like the rave in Dorstone are illegal under the Coronavirus Act, with party-goers facing fines of £200 and organisers fines of £10,000.

Coun Usher said people coming to the rural community from other areas of the UK, particularly inner-cities, pose a risk to elderly people in Dorstone, many of whom have been shielding for much of the last 12 months.

He said it was the last thing most villagers wanted, as they were also concerned about the dumping of litter, empty drinks cans and human waste.

He said people had been "hunkering down" in Dorstone and said to stay clear of revellers.