A MAN claiming to be the organiser of a rave near Foxhill over Easter weekend has said he will never return to the same place.

The man, known only as "Gibblet", has told the Evening Advertiser he would not return to the site at the Hollows near Foxhill after complaints from residents in Liddington, who could hear the music throughout the weekend.

Gibblet said he knew the event was illegal but that he had done everything he could to make it as safe as possible.

He said: "I have been doing this for five or six years and take all the precautions. We have quite a few fire extinguishers and circuit breakers for the sound system.

"We just wanted to have a good time. These licences cost a bomb we just cannot afford them.

"We aren't in this for the money. By the end of the day we barely had enough to fill the van with diesel to get home."

Gibblet added that reported attendance figures of 2,000 people were exaggerated and that about 800 was probably nearer the mark.

He said: "After we got caught in Northampton, we had to move the party to Liddington, but I had only expected a few friends of ours and perhaps a few of their friends to come but when people kept turning up throughout the day, I never expected quite so many.

"We always do our best to try and tidy all the venues we go to.

"All the rubbish was in black plastic bags but we were forced to leave many of them by the police who wanted us to get off the land.

"We just don't want to make bad name for ourselves."

The rave had been due to continue on Easter Monday but police pressure forced it to end on the Sunday.

Superintendent Richard Rowland of Wiltshire Police said he applauded the organiser's efforts to make it safe.

Supt Rowland said: "He is clearly well intentioned when it comes to safety of the people going but if he had had to go up on stage and say, 'The music is finished' he would have had no control and he probably would have been lynched.

"That's why these events need to be licensed and stewarded.

"We really need the public's help and support to find out where these raves are taking place."

Jonathan Holland, who farms the land, did not wish to comment but had earlier insisted the event had taken place without his permission.