A GROUP of travellers parked up on one of the car parks at the Macron Stadium.

Around 18 caravans arrived at the site at around 6pm on Monday night.

Heather Crank-Ingham, marketing manager at the Middlebrook Retail Park, said that it is Bolton Wanderers’ land but that they are liaising with the football club and police.

The group is parked on one of the car parks near the new Next site adjacent The Linkway and opposite the Bolton Kia dealership.

Wanderers are set to host Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday and say that they do not expect fans to be adversely affected.

Travellers move off Macron Stadium car park... but relocate elsewhere in town

A spokesman for the club said: “We are aware of the situation and are working with the relevant authorities.

“At this moment, there is nothing to suggest that this will adversely affect our match on Saturday. We will of course keep our supporters updated via our usual channels.”

As well as the caravans, there was a number of vans and other vehicles in the car parks.

Motorbikes and quad bikes could also be seen.

Several dogs were seen running around and two ponies were also grazing next to the main road.

A number of illegal encampments appeared in Bolton over the summer, as areas such as the Hulton Lane playing fields, Barlow Park in Sharples, and Farnworth’s Doe Hey Park becoming hotspots for travellers.

However, despite being inundated with complaints from residents, council bosses said that the borough does not have a significant problem with travellers when compared to other local authorities.

In 2016/17 a total of 28 illegal camps were reported to Bolton Council — compared to 150 in Leicester, 120 in Leeds, and 77 in Warrington.