FED-UP residents say they are living a "nightmare" after 2,000 travellers suddenly descended on their tiny village.

People living in Dutton, Cheshire, claim their area has been thrown into "mayhem" following the out of the blue arrival of 750 caravanslast week – leaving many "scared" and "intimidated".

According to the fuming residents, some of the travellers have been disrupting the lives of those in the village by throwing rubbish into gardens, drinking and swearing.

The 2,000-strong crowd of travellers pulled up in the village near Runcorn – which is normally home to just 400 people – for the seven day Light and Life religious festival last week.

Despite the gala being planned, locals say they had "no idea" the travellers were coming until the minute they arrived.

Foster carer Ann Underdown claims since then, they have "caused mayhem and scared people".

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The 55-year-old added: "The disruption has been terrible. They have been drinking and swearing and they throw stuff in people's gardens.

"They have even been in people's gardens leaving them scared.

"It is intimidating. Teenagers have been in the street drinking and all sorts.

Businessman Mostafa Yousif complained the noise has been "terrible" – branding the situation "a nightmare".

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The 34-year-old added: "It has been late at night. We'll all be relieved when they are gone."

Resident John Littler, 87, said he and his neighbours are counting down the days until the travellers pack up their bags and leave.

He said: "It was a shock when they all arrived in so many caravans.

"We are not used to having so many people here. People are angry that we had no warning.

"We'll be glad to see the back of them."

The festival started last Saturday and is due to come to a close on Friday.

Local councillor Lynn Gibbon said: "It came totally out of the blue.

"Nobody knew about it. The community, the council the police."

Cops confirmed they had not been informed about the event, but that steps had been put in place to "minimise traffic disruption" on Saturday.

We are not used to having so many people here. People are angry that we had no warning.

A spokesman for Cheshire Police said: “At around 8.10am on Saturday, July 9, officers were made aware of an event in a field off Northwich Road, Dutton.

“Officers attended and discovered several thousand people were in attendance at a religious festival.

“The landowner had given permission for the event, however the local authority and police had not been made aware.

“Patrols have been stepped up in the area to provide reassurance, and the local authority is engaging with the event organiser to assist them with their plans to minimise traffic disruption when the festival ends on Saturday, July 16.”

Landowner Andrew Bloor, who owns the farmland and rented it to the festival, insisted a notice about the festival was put on a local website.

He said: "Most of the day they are having prayers and sermons.

"There is some singing but there is no alcohol or drugs.

"It has unfortunately attracted some of the wrong element and you will get that whether it's down the road at Creamfields, Glastonbury or anywhere."

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Festival organiser Kevin Burnside said: "We are a bible-based organisation which has been working for 40 years to reach the gypsy and travellers community.

"We are building bridges with the local community and we are trying to welcome the community onto the field."

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