Who cleaned-up afterwards is a source of some debate

A partygoer who attended the illegal rave in Savernake Forest over the bank holiday weekend says the amount of people disturbed by the noise would have been "minimal".

She says the organisers always encourage people to consider local residents, and to clean up after themselves.

Speaking exclusively to BBC News Online the raver, who prefers to remain anonymous, said: "The atmosphere was absolutely brilliant.

"I have been to several raves now: they are not held to destroy areas like the forest, and I prefer them to pubs or clubs, where the atmosphere is more threatening.

I have a two-year-old son who didn't get much sleep and I was up for about 40 hours One resident

"I could not hear any noise when I parked up and had to walk quite a way into the forest before I could pick up any sound, she said.

But residents living near the beauty spot disagree.

One told the BBC at the time: "The windows were constantly vibrating.

"I have a two-year-old son who didn't get much sleep and I was up for about 40 hours."

Talking about the damage done to the private property in the forest, the raver said: "I can't comment on that, but I did speak to the man from the Forestry Commission and he was not negative at all.

Outdoor hoovers

"There are always some people who are not considerate, and spoil it for the rest.

"But generally people enjoy the party and ensure the site is left tidy.

"I was one of the last people to leave and I witnessed how the organisers and ravers were cleaning up - putting rubbish into bin-bags and using outdoor hoovers," she added.

The Forestry Commission has said that a fence on its grazing experiment was cut - which could have led to cattle escaping onto the A4.

'Good condition'

It also called in litter and fencing contractors to tidy up, and mend some broken barriers.

A spokesperson for the Commission said: "We have written to the police thanking them for their support and requesting a meeting to discuss what to do in the future.

"The ravers did leave the site in good condition, although some barriers were broken."

Landowner Lord Cardigan tried to get the revellers to leave by leafleting them, but despite his efforts, the party went on throughout the weekend.

The forest was leased - for 999 years - from Lord Cardigan by the Forest Commission at the end of World War II.