ENVIRONMENTAL health officers at Purbeck District Council believe they have tracked down the main organiser of an illegal rave held on the Jurassic coast last September.

The council has until the end of February to decide whether or not to take legal action.

The two-day rave held in and around caves at Winspit near Worth Matravers attracted around 700 party-goers and a dozen live bands.

A former university student in Bournemouth has been identified as possibly being the main organiser.

Environmental health officer Richard Conway said: "It has taken us quite a long time to catch up with this gentleman as he has been quite elusive."

Residents complained to the council after campers and party-goers descended on Worth Matravers, clogging the village with traffic.

There were complaints about noise and late night fireworks and a holidaymaker complained after witnessing an open-air sex act.

The maximum fine on conviction in the courts for anyone identified as an organiser of an illegal rave party is £20,000.

The council has also looked at what role those responsible for the land might have played in the event going ahead.

"The landowner has claimed it was a private party and the council is not seeking compen-sation from the landowner.

Mr Conway said: "We are concerned about the potential danger of there being an

event of this size and nature at the caves at Winspit - which is part of the Jurassic world heritage coast - and where there are hazards because of the steep cliffs. Fortunately, nothing happened."

First published: February 8