Country park staff will be leading a clampdown to protect their beauty spots from being ravaged by ravers.

Rangers in Essex will be keeping their eyes peeled for suspicious activity as drug-fuelled free parties of yesteryear make a comeback.

Police in the county are already liaising with other forces in the area to swap intelligence in a bid to stop raves before they start.

The preventative measure comes after dozens of officers were injured after attending a rave in Essex last summer.

The extra watches being done by scores of country park staff at the county council-managed sites are also thought to help put a stop to the events.

Council chiefs say information gathered by the rangers will be passed to local police and action taken.

They say the council will also push for prosecution under byelaws which make it illegal to play loud music in the parks.