During the week-long event a group of stallholders and festival performers set up camp in the forest, partying late into the night and burning open fires –– just 50 yards from the Major Oak.

Adrian Wilson, who formed the support group to help preserve the world-famous site, says he was astonished after visiting the area on Friday evening.

"It is unforgivable, irresponsible and reckless, there were radios blaring out and open camp fires burning, it was a clear fire hazard," he said.

"The place was lit up like the QE2 with torches and pressure lanterns burning, the behaviour was unbelievable and I was absolutely furious about it."

Adrian says Nottinghamshire County Council did not impose clear enough instructions on public behaviour during the festival and believes there were not enough staff on duty.

"The council has admitted it did not have enough rangers to police the event but they have gone ahead anyway," he said.

"There was a row of seven or eight tents pitched shoulder to shoulder with each other so there were obvious sanitation problems.

"You have to actually witness this sort of organised mayhem, this so called festival, it leaves you seriously worried as to the real future of Sherwood Forest."

Patrick Candler, service director for Nottinghamshire County Council, said that the conservation of Sherwood Forest is a very high priority for the council.

"The Robin Hood Festival attracts more than 50,000 visitors every year, who get the chance to re-live the legend of Robin Hood and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Sherwood Forest," he said.

"During the festival, our rangers work hard to ensure that the site is protected and that visitors, entertainers and other staff are looking after the forest.

"We spoke to Mr Wilson about his complaint and, as a result, a small group of entertainers who were rehearsing for an activity involving flares were asked to practice on a different part of the site and I am assured that no damage was done.

"Overnight camping is permitted during the festival for authorised personnel, as is the use of camp fires on elevated steel plates which do not burn the surrounding ground.

"However, these activities do not take place within the fenced-off area around the Major Oak.

"We ensure that adequate fire fighting equipment is located close nearby and these conditions are cleared by Natural England during the festival."