POLICE seized 18 vans and lorries containing a large amount of audio equipment from Gwent's biggest ever rave.

An estimated 3,000 ravers descended on Wentwood Forest on Saturday evening, bringing around 1,000 vehicles for the illegal gathering.

The last remaining partygoers at the Forestry Commission-owned site were moved on by police at 12.30pm today.

Officers are examining a "considerable amount" of evidence gathered during the operation.

A stage with a huge sound system was set up in the Five Lanes area, which pumped out loud music for 36 hours.

Some 175 officers from five different forces - Gwent, South Wales, Gloucestershire, Avon and Somerset and West Mercia - as well as a helicopter were deployed in a huge police operation.

Five males were arrested on Sunday afternoon for allegedly assaulting officers as they moved in to disperse the crowds.

The suspects were remanded in custody overnight and are being interviewed at an undisclosed police station in Gwent today.

Superintendent Jon Burley, who is leading the investigation, said: "We took a robust approach to the policing of the rave, and we will take a robust approach with the handling of the organisers."

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