A GROUP of travellers have been hit with a 24-hour notice to leave or face prosecution after setting up home in Blackburn’s Witton Park.

Council officials and police visited the park yesterday to serve the notice on five caravans parked in Preston Old Road next to the AstroTurf pitches.

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It is thought they arrived at the park on Monday at around 3pm.

The officer from Blackburn with Darwen Council visited the site with two policemen to issue the notice forcing the travellers to move on by 1pm today.

Council welfare officers were also present to oversee the living conditions as there were several children living in the caravans.

This is the second time travellers have been spotted living in the park after several people were asked to move last Monday.

A council spokesman said: “We have issued the notice and the four families living on site have indicated that they would leave within the allocated time.

“If they decided to not leave, they would be taken through the courts.

“Local authorities have the power to direct unauthorised campers to leave unoccupied land if they are residing on it under section 77 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994. We had only received minor complaints about this group as their location has not been as obstructive as others have been in the past.”

It can prove a costly and time-consuming process to force travellers to move from council land.

Blackburn inspector Dave Wilson said: “The caravans were seen setting up near the AstroTurf pitches on Monday at 3pm.

“The council will have carried out an eviction notice and the Travellers will have to leave before a certain date.

“As of yet we have received no complaints of antisocial behaviour.”

Meadowhead councillor Konrad Tapp said: “I have spoken to the council about this when another set of travellers settled there a few weeks ago.

“The park is public for members of Blackburn with Darwen to use it is where children play football and other sports.

“I am sure the council will do something about it to prevent them coming onto the park again.”

“I have asked the council to put a gate to stop high vehicles getting down there.

“The Travellers know the law, they know it’s illegal to live on the land and it also costs the council more than £1,000 to get them removed.

“I hope this group will move on peacefully.”

The Travellers refused to comment.