TENS of thousands of gypsies, travellers and visitors are expected to make their way to Cumbria for the annual Appleby Horse Fair next week.

The 10,000 gypsies and travellers and more than 30,000 visitors that attend the fair each year transform the small town of Appleby which has a population of around 2,500.

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During the week-long event, spectators come from far and wide to see the traditional washing of horses in the River Eden, visit the numerous market style stalls and have their fortunes told.

And with just one week to go until the fair gets officially underway on Thursday, June 8, road safety is a key issue on the minds of organisers.

The Multi Agency Strategic Co-ordinating Group (MASCG) of public agencies, working to make the annual gathering of gypsies and travellers safer each year, is appealing for fairgoers with trailers not to arrive too early.

Gypsy and traveller spokesman Billy Welch, a member of MASCG, said that travellers had responded 'really well' to the group's pleas in the past few years.

"So if you are bringing your trailer to Appleby please respect the fair, plan your journey carefully using the information about stopping places available at http://www.applebyfair.org, so you don't arrive too early before the fair starts on June 8," he said. "By doing this you not only help improve road safety, but allow more space on roadside verges for grazing and bow tops."

Equally, the MASCG is also keen to make drivers aware that there will be an increase in horse drawn vehicles on the county's roads.

Temporary chief superintendent Mark Pannone, Cumbria Constabulary's Gold Commander for the Horse Fair, said officers were 'committed' to keeping the roads as safe as possible during the fair.

"It is important for all road users to be aware of the large number of slow-moving horse-drawn vehicles that will be on the county's roads during this time and to drive accordingly.

"For those travelling on horse-drawn vehicles, please make sure that you are visible to other road users particularly on the major routes."

For details of road closures during the fair, visit http://applebyfair.org/