TRAVELLERS have been served a notice to leave Blackburn playing fields.

Three caravans pulled up on land at Pleasington Playing Fields on Tuesday and have been there ever since.

Reports were circulating on social media on Thursday night that the travellers were believed to be causing disruption on Witton Park.

Police and council chiefs visited the caravans on the site to give them an order to leave the land this afternoon.

Sgt Sarah Frankland, from Blackburn’s neighbourhood policing team, said: “We went down with the council to the site on Friday afternoon and there were two caravans and a car on the site.

“They were served with a notice to leave the site within a reasonable amount of time.”

Cllr Derek Hardman, who represents the Livesey with Pleasington ward, said: “This will come as a relief to to the nearby residents and users of the park.

“The police have been great with the spate of problems in the area with people trying car doors and they have done a tremendous job in the area.

“This news will be great for local people who were worried about anti-social behaviour and hopefully they will leave as soon as possible.

“Travellers have been coming on here over the years. The gates are locked at night but the problem is that stretch of land is access to the cemetery and also to the playing fields and needs to be open during the day and that is when they come on.

“The only thing you can do is pay someone to patrol on their full-time to stop them.

“Now the only worry is what mess they have left behind but the good thing is that they have not been there long.”

Commenting on the alleged anti-social behaviour, a passerby, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “We were out with my children on their bikes and there were a couple of families, very well spaced out enjoying the sunshine. The peace and quiet was soon disturbed by two young men on motorbikes on the fields.

“We decided to leave and whilst passing the caravans, one man spat onto the grass.”

Martin Eden, director of environment and operations at the council. said: “Most of the traveller community use the facilities and provision available to them and as a council we are continuing to support them during this really difficult time. But for those who set up illegal encampments, we will take action to move them on if necessary.”