Oakham residents are in uproar over at 'religious' festival at the Rutland Showground.

Police have been called to the site to investigate complaints over the alleged behaviours of its participants and others.

Hundreds of complaints and related comments have been posted on social media concerning the event.

Last Night, Rutland Showground issued an apology on its Facebook Page.

The apology said: "We are currently hosting a religious festival on our site which we are aware is causing disturbance to our neighbours. We wholeheartedly apologise for this.

"We agreed to the booking after assessing the organisers risk assessment and with the belief that this was an event primarily about Christian worship.

"However there is a minority of people who are disrupting the event and causing significant problems in around the showground.

"Our priority is to help maintain public order and minimise disruption and allow the event to refocus on its Christian worship as quickly and quietly as possible.

"We have been in contact with the police who have been onsite today."

A whole range of behaviour is cited in response to the post.

Dean Collins said: "Shops are being looted and closing down early to avoid trouble as well as most of our pubs and restaurants who will close tonight and most of the next week to avoid issues."

Holly Bertalan said: "Be prepared, Rutland Showground. for legal action from all the businesses that have had to close as a result of the anti social behaviour and individuals flouting Covid rules."

Charlotte Frost said: "Working today was the most overwhelming and stressful experience I've encountered, physical and verbal abuse from more than a 'minority' of people."

Nichola-Jane Johnson said: "You have left Oakham residents feeling extremely vulnerable and in particular the poor young people working at Mcdonalds, staff being in tears all day for harassment and assault.. Unbelievable."

Martin Underwood also said last night: "It's 21.40 and there are clearly drag races on the roads, alcohol and more and more vehicles arriving. No police, no responsibility by the showground and this will cost a fortune to clear up."

Ian Stewart said last night: "Just walked the dog down the bypass, it's like a scene out of Madmax, the bypass is more like a drag strip tonight, brand new Range Rover almost pulling a wheelie, Mustangs letting rip, trucks turning round in middle of the highway, hundreds and hundreds of caravans. In for a noisy night I think."

Andrew Cockerill also said on twitter last night: "Such a pity to see Oakham in such a mess today. Gangs of people looking for trouble,4x4s driving around the villages looking for things to take that don't belong to them and residents afraid to go out.Pubs now being closed for public safety."

Earlier this morning, Rutland MP Alicia Kearns said on twitter: "I'm aware of concerns around reckless driving and incidents in Oakham today related to a large event at Rutland Showground.

"I am liaising with the Council and the Police regarding compliance to COVID regulations and monitoring concerns."

Leicestershire Police chief constable Simon Cole responding to Mr Cockerill and Mrs Kearns, commented today: "@LP_Rutland have been working hard on this with the event organisers, venue and council."