ANGRY residents have accused travellers and reckless motorists of ruining a green space in Little Lever.

Residents living near Hill Top have expressed concerns for the safety of the popular green space after members of the travelling community were evicted from the land at the start of the month.

At the latest meeting of Little Lever and Darcy Lever Area Forum residents demanded that more should be done to protect a field.

Feelings ran high as residents vented their anger over the state of the field which they claim has been damaged by travellers and motorists going on to the land illegally.

Alan Hampson, whose Darcy Bank Road home faces the site, said residents would take the law into their own hands if the council did nothing.

The 69-year-old said: "I'm an ex-police officer and I can tell you this softly, softly approach doesn't work. Something has to be done this time, no more pussyfooting around."

Legal regulations governing the field allow officers to seize vehicles causing distress or annoyance to the public, but locals say the police and Bolton Council are not acting quickly enough to bring action against offenders.

Travellers are known to use the field as a stopping point at least twice a year and residents also reported seeing people defecate in the bushes around the area.

However, Darcy Lever resident Eileen Murphy was cautious that the anger could tun into unjust discrimination, and called for a borough-wide consultation.

She said: "I can understand feelings are running high and it's not just Little Lever where this happens.

"I've been to Appleby Fair as a tourist and it's very enjoyable, but for people to get to the show they have to travel."

Problems were reported with quad bikes, motorbikes and even cars cutting across the grass, making it dangerous for children and dog walkers.

Another resident living near Hill Top, Harvey Graham, aged 77, said council officers should come and address the problems directly with the community and see if there is a way of having a protective fence put up around the field.

Councillors agreed that further action needed to be taken and a separate meeting would be held with council officers and residents to look at what could be done to tackle the issue.

The forum also agreed look at the cost of organising boulders around the park to act as a preventative measure as well as further legal action that could be taken against invasion of the area.

Cllr Sean Hornby added that an option was to follow other districts which have powers to ban travellers from an entire borough if they break any laws.

"This is a very important issue for Little Lever," he said.

"We are in agreement to blocking off the field. Boulders are the only thing that will work, a fence can be ripped down, and we are looking at the costs."

A date is yet to be set for the meeting.