MORE than 2,000 illegal ravers descended on a field near Cholsey this weekend, causing major disruption.

Yesterday, hundreds of people were still on-site and cars lined the roads.

Revellers said the rave, or “free party” as they described it, was organised through Internet sites such as Facebook. They admitted there was drug-taking at the rave, which started on Saturday night.

Six sound systems blared out drum ’n’ bass, techno and trance music all night.

One resident, who did not want to be identified, said: “I had no sleep last night.

“They should be penalised, but they do it every year and get away with it.”

He said farmers’ crops had been damaged and he had spent the morning cleaning broken glass and bottles from his driveway.

Around 40 police officers dealt with the rave, close to The Ridgeway near Unhill Wood, after receiving scores of calls in the earlier hours of Sunday morning. It was quickly classified as an “illegal gathering”.

A police spokesman said officers had been deployed throughout the night to prevent more people attending, and to deal with criminal offences.

But the revellers defended their actions, saying they were only trying to have fun.

One female partygoer, who did not want to be identified, said: “Free parties are not a crime.

“I can see why the residents would be upset, but we are just trying to have fun.”

She confirmed that people had taken drugs, but said: “It happens in rave, but it happens everywhere else too.”

Pete Willars, 30, of Northampton, said: “It was a big rave, with 2,000 people.

“There are very rarely problems. We police ourselves and we clean up after ourselves.”

Police Superintendent Amanda Pearson said: “We understand the concern and disruption this is causing to the local community and want to reassure people that as well as dealing with the ongoing incident, we will conduct a robust investigation to identify offenders and bring them to justice.”

Police said one person was arrested for throwing a bottle at an officer. The bottle hit the officer on the arm.

The music was switched off voluntarily in the late afternoon yesterday, following negotiations between police and those running the rave.

Police confiscated four van loads of sound equipment.

Anyone with information should contact police on 08458 505505 or contact the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.