THOUSANDS of people are expected to descend on a Hampshire town for this year’s Wickham Horse Fair.

Preparations are getting under way ahead of the annual historic event which attracts around 2,000 members of the travelling community and will mean closing off parts of the village.

But police are likely to be out in force for the May 20 fair, which has been marred by violence for the past couple of years.

Last year the Daily Echo told how police had to step in after a fight broke out. And this came after a mass brawl the year before where a man suffered a head wound after being hit by a marble fired from a catapult.

Traditional In response, officers in high visibility uniform will be available throughout the event to respond to any problems.

The traditional event, which attracts travellers from across the country, will include a funfair in The Square and a gypsy horse-run on the Winchester Road.

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The equine festival, which dates back 800 years and is the biggest and oldest horse-trading event of its kind in the country, is informal and does not have an official organiser.

But officials say the police, Winchester City Council, Hampshire County Council, Wickham Parish Council and other agencies are working together to ensure that the historic event causes minimum disruption.

However, road closures will be in place and drivers are being advised to allow more time for their journeys on the day.

The Square will be closed to traffic from midday on May 19 until early on May 21 to allow for the clean-up.

The A334 Winchester Road will be closed between the traffic signals at Blind Lane and the roundabout junction of the A32 from 5 am to 8pm on May 20. The nearside lane of the A32 southbound at Hoads Hill, from the junction of the A334 to top of the hill, will be used for parking associated with the fair.

Horse-boxes are to be parked on the east side of the A334 between the north end of the Square and the junction at Blind Lane and Titchfield Lane. Any vehicle parked in an unauthorised place will be towed away.

Residents will have permits so they can access the closure points, although the road immediately adjacent to the entrance to The Square will not be passable.

Authorities have set up a dedicated emergency telephone number for emergencies for residents in the roads where access to their properties is affected.