Hundreds of tents dumped after this month's V Festival have been saved from the scrapheap to help overseas emergency aid operations.

A small army of volunteers rescued the huge number of tents abandoned on the campsites by festival-goers at Hylands Park, Chelmsford, a fortnight ago.

More than 70 Rotary club members from across the county carried out the operation at the Chelmsford venue.

Spokesman Ian Mc Meekan said: "I was astonished. People leave hundreds of tents behind - it is quite extraordinary.

"A lot are just two-person tents but some of them are quite large. People buy these cheap tents, take them to the festival and abandon them."

Many weary music fans couldn't be bothered to pack up their tents in the drizzle following the two-day festival.

Now the Rotarians are making sure they are put to good use.

Essex Scouts have already been given a consignment for a project which helps disadvantaged teenagers.

Guides units and Duke of Edinburgh Award schemes will also benefit.

The rest will be used by the Red Cross.

Mr McMeekan said: "They aren't really suitable for disaster zones but they can be used for emergency relief."