TRAVELLERS who wreaked havoc in Nelson and chaos in Clitheroe have moved to Burnley.

Caravans left Clitheroe yesterday morning and by the afternoon many were assembled in the car park of TK Maxx in Church Street.

Council officers in Nelson have just completed a clean-up operation at two sites in Carr Road that is believed to have cost the taxpayer £3,000.

Rubbish strewn across both areas has been cleared, public toilets have had to be cleaned and wooden fence posts that were torn from the ground replaced.

In a court hearing to gain an eviction notice Pendle Council executive John Kirk said that crime in the area rose during their stay and people living nearby were afraid to leave their homes at night.

A spokesman for Clitheroe Police said: "They were seen leaving Clitheroe before splitting into two groups. One arrived in Burnley and has set up camp in the TK Maxx car park and the other is thought to be heading back to Nelson."

A Burnley police spokesman said: "We are aware of the situation, but if anybody sets up camp on private land it is not a police matter.

"It is between the landowner and and the campers. They will either have to come to an agreement themselves, or the landowner can seek an eviction order from the County Courts."

At the store yesterday management refused to comment saying that the matter was now in the hands of their legal representatives.

The group of travellers has said in the past that they intend to return to their native Ireland, but so far have remained in East Lancashire. One pensioner belonging to the group, who would not be named, said yesterday that they did not intend to stay long in Burnley.

As the clean-up operation began in Clitheroe a spokesman at Ashtenne Ltd, of Preston, agents to Pilot Properties, said the bill could run up to £3,500.

"There isn't any damage to the site, but a lot of rubbish has been left, including sofas and faeces.

"We have instructed contractors to work throughout the weekend to clean up the site and secure it against further incidents."

Burnley councillor Peter Doyle said the news was "disappointing".

Coun Doyle added: "I do hope there are no problems while they are in Burnley."