A NUMBER of people were arrested for drug offences and drink driving after an illegal rave in a secluded Suffolk wood.More than 200 revellers took part in the 18-hour outdoor party on Forestry Commission land at West Stow, just outside Bury St Edmunds.

A NUMBER of people were arrested for drug offences and drink driving after an illegal rave in a secluded Suffolk wood.

More than 200 revellers took part in the 18-hour outdoor party on Forestry Commission land at West Stow, just outside Bury St Edmunds.

Police were alerted to the rave at around 10pm on Saturday night after complaints of loud music.

On their arrival officers initially found around 100 revellers and a large sound system which the organisers had set up.

Several other partygoers had set up tents in the woods as the rave continued through the night and into the early hours of Sunday morning.

Initially, Suffolk police only received one complaint about the noise on Saturday night. After consultation with the Forestry Commission it was established the rave had been set up without prior permission.

Despite the party being illegal Suffolk police first allowed the organisers of the rave to continue on condition that the music was kept down to a reasonable level.

But after receiving a number of further complaints about the noise on Sunday morning police officers were forced to take more firm action.

On returning to the scene officers found that the numbers at the rave had increased to more than 200.

By Sunday afternoon the organisers were told to vacate the area and their sound system equipment was confiscated by police officers.

The rave was held in a dense and secluded part of the woods, away from the main roads and residential areas. Police officers managed to clear the area by around 4pm yesterday.

A Suffolk police spokesman said: "We were first alerted to an illegal rave at around 10pm on Saturday night, on Forestry Commission Land at West Stow. During the course of the night only one resident complained to the police, but on Sunday further complaints were received regarding the music and numbers at the rave. As a result the Suffolk Constabulary took firmer action with the organisers insisting they vacate the forest area, sound systems were removed and most party-goers had left the site by yesterday afternoon."

Although the majority who attended the rave left the area peacefully a number of people were arrested. Five people were arrested for drink driving, two of which were also arrested for possession of a controlled drug. Four other people were also arrested for possession of a controlled drug. The police did not arrest the organisers of the event.