Lone traveller treks 200 miles to Appleby despite annual horse fair being cancelled as he ‘just wanted to be there’

A LONE traveller trekked 200 miles to Appleby despite its annual horse fair being cancelled because he "just wanted to be there."

Thousands usually descend on the Cumbrian market town for the annual gathering of gypsies and travellers.

But when it was called off this year due to coronavirus, Kenneth Redhead - known as Pont - was determined not to miss out - and rocked up as the only visitor.

He travelled up in a transit van from King's Lynn, Norfolk - approximately a four-hour drive - for what would have been the start of festivities.

The event was due to start today and go through until Sunday.

Kenneth, who attended the event for the past 15 years, said he turned up because he "just wanted to be there."

He told others he had also made the trip because he needed to pick up some fertiliser.

The traveller, photographed close to one of the main campsites would usually be, reportedly did not stay in the area long after having a look around.

Appleby has a population of around 3,000 and in previous years has played host to 10,000 travellers plus an extra 30,000 visitors for the four-day event.

As the biggest horse fair in Europe it brings in 1,000 caravans and several hundred horse-drawn vehicles which are spread across three main campsites.

Horses would be washed and trotted up Appleby's iconic flashing lane most days while stalls pop up in the market square selling traditional goods and horse-related products.

But this year Kenneth arrived to empty streets.

The fair has previously courted controversy for the mess left behind, violent crime and animal cruelty.

In 2014 more than 100 were arrested following a mass brawl breaking out, with the worst incident on the final day as rival gangs clashed.