POLICE were called to reports of an illegal party on Sunday, but crowds had left before officers arrived.

Officers were called to the illegal gathering under the M65 bridge in Hapton but found only music equipment. There were no arrests made or fines handed out.

A police spokesperson said: “We were called at around 12.45am on Sunday to the report of a gathering under the M65 bridge in Hapton.

“Officers attended and people were seen to run off from the area.

“Some music equipment was found and seized.”

Police also attended reports of illegal gatherings in other areas of the county over the weekend.

On a Facebook post on Sunday, a spokesman said: “You will all know that the North West currently has some of the highest coronavirus rates in the country and the vast majority of us are doing our bit to try and keep the coronavirus infection rate as low as possible.

“Yesterday, we attended reports of organised events and mass gatherings in the west, east and south of the county, each with more than 30 people in attendance.

“Whenever we identify an organiser at these events we will look to issue a fixed penalty notice of up to £10,000.”

The landowner of a 320-acre farm in Astley, near Wigan, reported a rave to Greater Manchester Police, with around 300 people in attendance.