PICTURES have shown a huge gathering Romany Gypsies who’ve descended upon a Hampshire village to celebrate a Christian festival.
A large blue and white marquee has been set up alongside hundreds of trailers for the week-long event in Curdridge.
Festival goers began arriving on Sunday, June 25 before the majority set up camp on Monday, June 26.
The event has been organised by the Light and Life Missionary Church, a Romani-led evangelical (Pentecostal) Christian movement.
READ MORE: Light and Life: Romany gypsies arrive in Hampshire for festival
Bob Woodley, who owns the farmland where they have pitched up, refused to comment when asked about any agreement with the travellers on Tuesday.
Farmer Phillip Poole, who owns land opposite, said there must be around 400 to 500 caravans in the field.
Winchester City councillors, alongside Curdridge Parish Council, sent out a letter to villagers informing them that more than 200 caravans had convened but they had been “unaware” of the activity until it started being reported on social media.
Other groups of Travellers have been spotted in neighbouring areas such as Shedfield Common, following the council's letter which warned other potential camps nearby 'travelling in the shadow' of the religious event and urged residents to remain “vigilant”.
SEE ALSO: Council confirm Travellers have left the area following forced entry
The letter read: "Please ensure property, including outbuildings are locked and extra precautions are taken with valuables."
"The parish and Winchester City Councillors will closely monitor the event and work on behalf of parish residents, to minimise where possible, the impact this gathering is having on the village community."
A spokesperson for Hampshire Police said: “The encampment at Curdridge is not for police to comment on as it is an authorised encampment.
“We were aware of an unauthorised encampment at Shedfield Common and officers attended to assess the situation. They have since moved on.”
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