TRAVELLERS have illegally set up camp in Summerseat.

About seven caravans moved on to playing fields in Waterside Road on Sunday evening, alarming nearby residents.

One villager, whose house overlooks the camp, told the Bury Times: "They started moving in to the village at 8pm. Since then, one of them has urinated in my garden, vehicles have been driven across the field at high speed and loud music has been playing. It is the first time this has happened.

"The nature of their lifestyle is quite worrying and we are also worried that more travellers will come here."

Police confirmed they had received reports of anti-social behaviour.

Inspector Steve Clark, head of Ramsbottom and Tottington Township, said: "We will be monitoring the area and will investigate any criminal activity."

The borough's environmental services officer, Alan Freer, said that the process to evict the travellers was already under way.

He said: "The travellers are camped illegally on playing fields which belong to the council. An application has been made to the magistrates court and if the direction is granted, we will ask them to move. Hopefully this will be done by the end of the week."