WEST Somerset residents are being asked to become the eyes and ears of the police to help officers clamp down on a growing number of illegal raves in the district.

Last weekend an "illegal gathering" took place on farmland near Lydeard St Lawrence without the landowner's permission, while numerous other gatherings have taken place around Brompton Ralph.

But police powers are more effective if action can be taken before a rave has started, rather than having to wait for the music to begin and then seeking dispersal orders to break up the event.

Officers are urging people to get in touch as soon as they notice unusual gatherings of vehicles - or large amounts of sound equipment being carted around country lanes in the district.

Police confirmed there had been "issues with illegal gatherings", particularly on Exmoor, in recent months.

Exmoor police Sergeant Andy Whysall said: "Over the past month, we have been working with local land owners and the parish councils, particularly in the Brompton Ralph area, in order to formulate a combined approach to curb the recent spate of illegal gatherings, which have been occurring.

"A number of initiatives have been suggested and work is in progress to discourage and educate those involved in organising such gatherings.

"I would ask residents who believe any such gathering will be taking place to please inform the police as it is preferable to prevent the gathering from occurring rather than dispersing it while it is in progress."

In the most recent incident near Lydeard St Lawrence, a farm worker spotted around 20 vehicles parked near woodland but only alerted police when they were still there at 6am the following morning.

Under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, the police have extensive powers to prevent raves taking place, with those behind the events likely to face up to three months in prison and a maximum £2,500 fine.

Officers can remove two or more people from land if they are trespassing or if there are six or more vehicles parked on site.

They also have powers to move on gatherings of 100 or more people where amplified music is being played, where two or more people are believed to be organising a rave and where ten or more people are either waiting or gathering for a rave.

In all cases, anyone who refuses to move on or who returns to the land within three months is liable for a three month jail term and a fine of up to £2,500.

But the problems caused by raves is nothing new as the Free Press reported this time last year.

Back then, villagers living in the Wiveliscombe area called on police to crack down on illegal raves, claiming the events were making their lives a misery.

Up to three hundred young people were attending all-night parties in nearby woods and fields and, according to locals, leaving a trail of broken fences and litter behind them.

One furious farmer said young people regularly gathered in Wiveliscombe before heading out into the countryside in convoy.

He said: "When the music is on, the noise thumps through our house and keeps us up all night.

"Something has to be done. I'm not just talking about a couple of teenagers and a bottle of cider. There are hundreds at these raves."

Most raves are organised via the internet and email and anyone who has information about a gathering before it happens, or who sees a large number of vehicles gathering in the countryside, should contact police on 0845 4567000.