A COUNCILLOR has called for more action to be taken by the owners of a piece of land where travellers set up camp and quit only after the threat of legal action, leaving behind a mound of unsightly litter.

A convoy of more than 20 caravans moved on to the site of the former Accrington Brickworks, on Whinney Hill Lane, Accrington, last month .

They were there for more than two weeks and left the area covered in debris when they decamped.

The land is owned by Marshalls Clay Products, based in Halifax, which threatened to take legal action to remove the travellers before they finally moved off the land last week.

The main entrance, on Whinney Hill Lane, is secured only by a padlock and chain.

Now Councillor Tim O'Kane, whose portfolio includes environmental health, says the measures taken by the company to secure the site are not enough.

He inspected the site on Monday and found piles of rubble, beer cans, plastic pop bottles, children's bikes, a wrecked motorbike and even an abandoned car.

"It's an absolute disgrace," he said. There should be some substantial blocking mechanism. There's nothing to stop the travellers coming back on to this site. They have been evicted once but the whole process could start again. What are the company playing at?"

Coun O'Kane said he would be contacting the owners to ask what they intended to do with the land.

A spokesman for Marshalls said: "Through discussions with local councillors, the local environmental health officer, and the police, Marshalls' position regarding the travellers was clarified with all concerned.

"The travellers were spoken to directly and asked to leave the site within two days.

"It was indicated that failure to comply with this request would lead to legal action being taken. As a result, the travellers decided to leave.

"Security of the site will be reviewed in the coming week and suitable measures identified and introduced to minimise the potential for further trespassers entering the site.

"During this review, the state of the site will be assessed and any materials or equipment left there will be removed or disposed of."