Dozens of people were turfed off the Ridgeway by police as they turned up for an illegal rave.

The ancient 'green road' which runs along the Downs south of Wantage has been a popular spot for several impromptu gatherings in recent years, sometimes attracting hundreds of music fans.

On Saturday, Thames Valley Police were alerted by Wiltshire officers that an event had been organised just over the Oxfordshire border.

A sergeant and five officers from Wantage turned up at the site, just south of the ancient Stone Age barrow site known as Wayland's Smithy, and were later joined by colleagues.

They dispersed the gathering and seized a van and music equipment.

Insp Matt Bullivant, in charge of the Wantage and Faringdon sector, said the officers' reaction to the incident had been "friendly, positive and firm."

He added: "The site at Ashbury Hill was so remote it was accessed via Wiltshire and we received intelligence from colleagues there that people appeared to be heading in that direction.

"We were able to deal with the rave with local officers and no extra resources had to be called in.

"We dispersed the crowd quickly, dealing with them firmly but fairly and ensured they left the Ridgeway."

Two people were arrested on suspicion of driving while unfit through drink or drugs, while two others were given street cautions for possession of cannabis.

Officers also handed out several £30 penalty tickets to people for driving on the Ridgeway.

One vehicle was impounded for not being insured and another was seized on suspicion of having been stolen.

Insp Bullivant said: "We won't tolerate these illegal raves in our area, and we will deal with them robustly.

He said organisers face antisocial behaviour orders preventing them from carrying music equipment.