HUNDREDS of swingers came to the Malvern area for a ‘sex festival’ over the weekend.

Around 300 people stayed in a field opposite the Three Counties Showground for the Swingfields festival.

A resident was concerned that the event could result in the area becoming the ‘swingers’ capital of Europe’.

However, the owner of Swingfields said: “This event is not a sex festival, it is a small private music festival for adult groups and we are proud of representing their desire for a unique event for them.

“However we aim to keep all residents happy and if invited back will pre-meet residents and police to ensure full support and amicable terms for all.”

The owner said revellers kept quiet during certain hours, although Worcestershire Regulatory Services said it received a few noise complaints.

He added that he was disgusted at drones flying over the festival and taking pictures of revellers without their consent, which he deemed an invasion of privacy.

Tanya Williams, owner of Intimate Torment, a lingerie and adult toys store which set up a shop at the event, said: “It was a really nice, friendly weekend away.

“Obviously the name implies it’s a sex festival but I never saw anyone having sex.”

Ms Williams, aged 47, from Swindon, added that she only saw a couple of topless women at the festival.

Cynthia Palmer, the Mayor of Malvern, who did not know the festival was taking place, said: “I think we have to be open to all kinds of festivals but they have to be done with respect to the local community.

"In the future it would be good to discuss these things beforehand. We have to take into account people’s concerns.”

A West Mercia Police spokesman said officers received one noise complaint and a report of a trespasser at the site, although there were no other issues.

Simon Wilkes, head of Worcestershire Regulatory Services, added: “We are aware of an event in the Malvern area which took place under a temporary event notice served on the district council as required under the Licensing Act 2003.

“The event has now ended but we can confirm there were a small number of complaints regarding noise.”

The festival started on Thursday and ended on Sunday.