CARAVAN travellers have come under fire from furious traders after setting up camp on an industrial estate.

About a dozen caravans moved to Cranfield Road on the Lostock Industrial Estate yesterday after being ousted from Westhoughton by a legal order. Workers and business owners turned up to find that a group of families had forced their way on to a yard at a disused warehouse.

Council officers have started a legal process to have the caravans removed, but current laws mean they would be allowed to stay for seven days after an eviction notice has been served.

One businessman, who refused to be named, said: "We were very disappointed when we saw they had moved on. We've not had them on that particular piece of land before but they have been in the area for some time. It puts off customers.

"I don't understand why there aren't the powers to move them away immediately if they cause a nuisance.

It is believed the same group of travellers had previously made an encampment on the Bellhouse Hartwell factory on the Westhoughton and Wingates Industrial Estate.

Blackrod councillor Martyn Cox said: "What Bolton Council needs to make sure is that they are moved on as quickly as possible because they do cause anxiety for residents."

A council spokesman said: "This is the same group who were previously on land at Westhoughton. We are waiting for instructions from the land owner to start legal proceedings."