Eight people were arrested on suspicion of drugs offences and two sound systems confiscated after police shut down an illegal rave at Scutchamer Knob, on the Ridgeway near Wantage.

The gathering on Sunday was the seventh illegal rave officers had been called to this year in the county, and the second at Scutchamer Knob.

Thirty-eight police officers arrived at the scene after being alerted by the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, based at Harwell, at 2.30am. They found 300 people, 100 cars and a coach had set up an illegal party.

Inspector Pete Downing said: "Police officers gathered intelligence and evidence to pursue prosecutions after the event and eight people were arrested for drugs offences. After local officers had monitored the situation, we seized two of the organisers' sound systems at midday on Sunday, which resulted in the event shutting down."

Police had also been called by a number of members of the public and Mr Downing called on people to report unlicensed events as soon as possible.

He said: "Our intention is to minimise disruption to the local community by stopping loud noise from revellers and preventing large amounts of traffic coming in to small villages during the night."

Previous raves had been held near Burford, Heyford, Didcot and Boars Hill. Anyone with information is asked to call 08458 505505.

And Chief Insp Phil Littlechild, local police area commander for the Wantage area, said: "We are concerned about the people attending events like these as they often involve excessive amounts of alcohol or drugs consumed by large numbers without safety precautions in place."