A DISCARDED cigarette was the cause of a fire that gutted more than 80 cars at a musical festival near Winchester, the Daily Echo can reveal.

A report Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service concluded that the ‘most likely’ cause of the blaze at BoomTown Fair was a discarded cigarette.

A spokesman for the fire service said: “It seems the most likely cause was a discarded cigarette.

“It looks as if a lit cigarette was left unattended near the parked vehicles and supported by the dry grass, it quickly spread.”

He added that the term "most likely" is used because that is the cause where all the evidence points to.

The blaze in the West Car Park at Matterely Estate took hold on Friday evening with six crews from across the county attempting to suppress the flames.

Officer in command, watch manager Mark Compton from Winchester fire station told the Echo on Saturday that it was the actions of just four firefighters - the first on scene - who managed to stop the flames spreading to nearby tents in the luxury Boomtique camping site.

Police say crime levels "significantly" reduced for this year's event, with reported crimes falling from 337 in 2015's event to 186 as of Sunday evening.

In total £79,000 of drugs were seized by police, as well as £55,000 recovered from amnesty bins.

Superintendent James Fulton, said: "The proactive and reactive drugs operation remains very effective with a good number of arrests for possession with intent to supply both Class A drugs and new psychoactive substances.

“As has been the case over many years, there has been excellent partnership working across all agencies such as security, stewards and medical staff.

“The fire on Friday was well handled with great assistance from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service and plenty of support on site from the festival organizers for those affected."

Organisers have set up a dedicated incident information tent inside the festival  to locate the owners of the affected vehicles.

It was also providing refreshments, wi-fi and phone lines, with BoomTown welfare staff assisting revellers.

Vehicles and debris are set to be moved by insurers from tomorrow night.

Revellers are today making their way home after a weekend that included headliners Madness, Damian Marley and Leftfield.

To help those affected get home, BoomTown organisers told the Echo last night: “The plans for tomorrow are still being finalised and transport arrangements will be tailored to the individual’s needs and requirements.

“BoomTown is working alongside coach partner National Express to offer those affected coach travel options, there will be additional shuttle buses to the train station and BoomTown staff will work on a case by case basis should public transport not be appropriate.”