The Home Office this afternoon denied there had been a riot at Erlestoke Prison at the weekend and said only three men had been involved in two separate incidents which lasted until 3am on Sunday.

But when pressed a spokesman said that more than 100 prisoners were moved from Erlestoke to other prisons after a wing was damaged.

But he would not clarify exactly what damaged had been caused. He said an inquiry into the incident but the men involved would face disciplinary action.

A spokesman said: "

“On Saturday 11th June two separate incidents involving three prisoners were successfully resolved at HMP Erlestoke .

“The regime is now running as normal, but following some minor structural damage a number of prisoners have been transferred to nearby prisons.

“We are absolutely clear that prisoners who behave in this way will be punished and can spend significantly longer behind bars. Those suspected of being actively involved have been moved to higher security prisons and are subject to an ongoing police investigation."

He said the prison van pictured in Devizes on Sunday was carrying prisoners from Erlestoke but it was normal for this to be accompanied by a number of police vehicles. He denied that trouble in the van had caused it to stop by the side of the road in Northgate Street.