NO arrests were made at Wickham Horse Fair, police have confirmed.

The 800-year-old historic event, which usually attracts thousands of people from the travelling community nationwide, officially returned on Friday (May 21) after two years without a full celebration.

Previous editions of the fair have caused significant controversy. After organisers reached an agreement with Hampshire Constabulary, a ‘small symbolic event’ was authorised to take place last year in lieu of the cancellation.

However, residents and business owners were left frustrated as scores of travellers and their horses descended on the Hampshire village - forcing police to close multiple roads.

This wasn't the first time the fair caused disruption, either. In 2014, six people were arrested after a bloody brawl broke out between two families which saw catapults and batons used as weapons.

But despite its history, scores of people turned out in good spirits - regardless of the drizzly conditions - and officers confirmed the day passed 'peacefully' with no incidents recorded.

Peter Buregg has been coming to the fair for 54 years and runs one of the rides. He admitted the celebrations were on a slightly smaller scale than years past. He said: “It’s great to see the fair return, it’s part of our history, I mean it has been running since the 1800s. Trouble is one day doesn’t feel like enough once you’ve got down here and set everything up.

"Ideally we’d like to do it over a whole weekend. What with this years’ event being so close to the jubilee it’s a smaller fair than it would usually be, but we’ve done what we can.”

Wickham Horse Fair is a traditional event for the travelling community to sell and race ponies and horses.

The event also usually includes a funfair and market, which are typically installed in the village square.