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THOUSANDS of travellers have today started gathering in a sleepy village in Cumbria for the Appleby Horse Fair - the biggest gypsy festival in Europe.

Vintage and modern caravans can be seen spread across the lush fields in Appleby-in-Westmorland for the horse fair which attracts over 10,000 travellers every year.

One girl takes her horse through the water, which looks to be a little chilly
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One girl takes her horse through the water, which looks to be a little chillyCredit: �Andrew McCaren
A family wash their horse with washing up liquid in the river
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A family wash their horse with washing up liquid in the riverCredit: �Andrew McCaren
This little Shetland pony carries his young owner through the water, wearing a vibrant head dress
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This little Shetland pony carries his young owner through the water, wearing a vibrant head dressCredit: �Andrew McCaren
One man pulls his horse into the water as it protests against the cold water
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One man pulls his horse into the water as it protests against the cold waterCredit: ©Andrew McCaren
Punters raced through the sleepy village of Appleby-in-Westmorland
Punters raced through the sleepy village of Appleby-in-WestmorlandCredit: �Andrew McCaren
Clusters of bubbles and foam float down the river after the horses get a good scrub with washing up liquid
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Clusters of bubbles and foam float down the river after the horses get a good scrub with washing up liquidCredit: ©Andrew McCaren
One horse pulling a group of boys passes a police van
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One horse pulling a group of boys passes a police vanCredit: �Andrew McCaren
Racing down one of the roads that surrounds the fields, this young traveller shows his horse off
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Racing down one of the roads that surrounds the fields, this young traveller shows his horse offCredit: �Andrew McCaren
The general atmosphere today is relaxed and cheerful according to visitors who have gone down to be part of the festivities
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The general atmosphere today is relaxed and cheerful according to visitors who have gone down to be part of the festivitiesCredit: �Andrew McCaren
Traveller families of all ages have flocked to the Westmorland area in Cumbria
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Traveller families of all ages have flocked to the Westmorland area in CumbriaCredit: �Andrew McCaren
Horses and caravans pack surrounding fields for the fair which attracts over 10,000 travellers every year
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Horses and caravans pack surrounding fields for the fair which attracts over 10,000 travellers every yearCredit: ©Andrew McCaren
Last year's festival - which dates back to the 12th century - saw 23 arrests, 17 crimes and 115 incidents logged by police
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Last year's festival - which dates back to the 12th century - saw 23 arrests, 17 crimes and 115 incidents logged by policeCredit: �Andrew McCaren

It is a prime spot for buying and selling horses within the gypsy community, but is also seen as an opportunity for travellers to socialise and have fun.

The RSPCA have put up signs around the area in partnership with Eden District Council to let revellers know that act of selling 'pets' in a public place or market is an offence.

Andrew McCaren, who is visiting the fair, said that he saw people in the river washing their horses with bottles of washing up liquid.

Speaking to The Sun he said: "At the moment there are about six people in the river.

"They take the horses into the water up to their ears and then cover them in washing up liquid and soap them all up. They are all fully clothed as they give the horses their bath."

He said that it was a lot quieter than expected for the first day and that it was mainly gypsies and travellers rather than visitors from the area.

He added: "Everyone is in a really good mood. The travellers are more than happy to talk to you about their horses, they are so proud of them and want to show them off.

They take the horses into the water up to their ears and then cover them in washing up liquid and soap them all up. They are all fully clothed as they give the horses their bath.

Andrew

"The traffic doesn't seem that bad at the moment either, in previous years the area has been absolute gridlock. Some of the main roads are single-carriageway, which become inundated with horse-drawn carts and cars struggle to get past."

Children in wellies pet horses and play with toys in the sunshine as it seems the weather is set to play ball.

Stunning traditional caravans with carefully painted patterns and green roofs stand out among the high-spec motor homes.

Sticking to their roots and giving a nod to their heritage, some sit by open fires heating copper kettles.

Signs are in place warning drivers to slow down for horse-drawn vehicles being pulled along the route, according to .

One red road sign warns motorists of "injury from horses".

Last year's festival saw 23 arrests, 17 crimes and 115 incidents logged by police.

The earliest record of the fair is in a charter from Henry II, dating from the 12th century, but it is believed to have an even longer tradition than that.

The Gypsy and Traveller attendees include British Romanichal, Irish Travellers, Scottish Gypsy and Welsh Gypsies known as Kale.

There are usually around 1,000 and several hundred horses at the event, with the four-legged creatures being ridden up and down the motorway.

Travellers horse drawn caravans cause massive tailbacks on eve of the Appleby Horse Fair
A group of lads stock up at the local chippie as their horse waits patiently
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A group of lads stock up at the local chippie as their horse waits patientlyCredit: ©Andrew McCaren
Two girls take their horse and cart for a ride around the town
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Two girls take their horse and cart for a ride around the townCredit: �Andrew McCaren
The quiet village comes to live during the weekend festival
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The quiet village comes to live during the weekend festivalCredit: �Andrew McCaren
One horse owner splashes his animal with water after washing it in the river
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One horse owner splashes his animal with water after washing it in the riverCredit: �Andrew McCaren
Roads become congested with horse-drawn carts
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Roads become congested with horse-drawn cartsCredit: �Andrew McCaren
The earliest record of the fair is in a charter from Henry II, dating from the 12th century, but it is believed to have an even longer tradition than that
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The earliest record of the fair is in a charter from Henry II, dating from the 12th century, but it is believed to have an even longer tradition than thatCredit: ©Andrew McCaren
It is a prime spot for buying and selling horses within the gypsy community, but is seen as an opportunity for travellers to socialise and have fun
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It is a prime spot for buying and selling horses within the gypsy community, but is seen as an opportunity for travellers to socialise and have funCredit: �Andrew McCaren
A traditional gypsy cob stands in the sunshine beside his owner's traditional wagon that was originally used as British Romani people from the mid-1800s
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A traditional gypsy cob stands in the sunshine beside his owner's traditional wagon that was originally used as British Romani people from the mid-1800sCredit: ©Andrew McCaren
Police vans are dotted around the site with officers patrolling the area
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Police vans are dotted around the site with officers patrolling the areaCredit: �Andrew McCaren
Riot vans and officers are present at the scene in Appleby, Cumbria
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Riot vans and officers are present at the scene in Appleby, CumbriaCredit: ©Andrew McCaren
Horses graze on the grass after making the journey with their owners
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Horses graze on the grass after making the journey with their ownersCredit: ©Andrew McCaren
The Appleby Horse Fair is about buying and selling horses
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The Appleby Horse Fair is about buying and selling horsesCredit: �Andrew McCaren
A burger van sits in the campsite during the horse fair
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A burger van sits in the campsite during the horse fairCredit: �Andrew McCaren
The Gypsy and Traveller attendees include British Romanichal, Irish Travellers, Scottish Gypsy and Kale - Welsh Gypsies
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The Gypsy and Traveller attendees include British Romanichal, Irish Travellers, Scottish Gypsy and Kale - Welsh GypsiesCredit: �Andrew McCaren
There are usually around 1,000 and several hundred horses at the event, with the four-legged creatures being ridden up and down the motorway
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There are usually around 1,000 and several hundred horses at the event, with the four-legged creatures being ridden up and down the motorwayCredit: �Andrew McCaren
Children in wellies pet horses and play with toys in the sunshine as it seems the weather is set to play ball
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Children in wellies pet horses and play with toys in the sunshine as it seems the weather is set to play ballCredit: �Andrew McCaren
Last year's festival saw 23 arrests, 17 crimes and 115 incidents logged by police
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Last year's festival saw 23 arrests, 17 crimes and 115 incidents logged by policeCredit: �Andrew McCaren
Signs are in place warning drivers to slow down for horse-drawn vehicles being pulled along the route
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Signs are in place warning drivers to slow down for horse-drawn vehicles being pulled along the routeCredit: �Andrew McCaren
Aerial​ footage shows the size of the​ campsite at Appleby​ horse fair​

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