CHESHIRE Police has issued a statement regarding a large religious festival in Dutton.

Hundreds of participants have flocked to the village of Dutton, in between Runcorn and Northwich, for the Light and Life Festival.

Lasting a week, hundreds of caravans arrived on fields off Northwich Road on Saturday with the permission of the landowner, who says a notice was put online in advance.

But Cheshire Police says neither the force nor Cheshire West and Chester Council was made aware that the event would be taking place.

Residents in Dutton, which has a small population of around 400 people, have reported feeling intimidated due to the large number of visitors, as well as traffic issues.

Northwich Guardian: The festival is taking place on a field in DuttonThe festival is taking place on a field in Dutton

Police say they have stepped up patrols in the area to offer reassurance to local residents until the event finishes.

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.”