TWO Bury primary schools are getting back to normal after coming "under siege" from an illegal gypsy encampment.

And taxpayers are also counting the cost of their week-long visit: around £500 in lost parking charges, and money to clear up the mess.

Headmasters have described how gypsy children hurled stones and abuse at pupils and staff and allowed dogs to roam in the school grounds.

The situation was so serious that governors at Holy Trinity CE school in Cecil Street contemplated shutting down on Monday afternoon.

However, Bury Council security staff mounted round-the-clock patrols which considerably eased the trouble.

The school playground had to be disinfected on Monday when soiled nappies were thrown over the wall. Headteacher Mr Richard McEwan said: "We had problems with stones being thrown into the playground and dogs roaming the grounds.

"Our children, staff and parents were cat-called and harangued. Stones were also thrown and there was also a protection racket running, whereby gypsies asked people using the car park for money to mind their vehicles."

He added: "Monday was a horrendous day - we felt so much under siege. But after the security patrols were mounted, things began to settle down."

The trouble began when a number of gypsy caravans rolled on to the council car park in Cecil Street last Thursday night.

Mr McEwan said he understood the local authority was forced to follow set procedure before they could legally evict the gypsies.

But he added: "It does take a long time to serve an enforcement notice. Basically, if someone came again today we'd still have a week of nuisance." He said he wanted a change to current policy whereby effective action to move the gypsies could be carried out much sooner.

Mr McEwan said the litter left behind by the gypsies on their departure on Wednesday evening was "indescribable."

Mr Alan Middleton, headmaster of St Marie's Primary in nearby Edward Street, said: "We didn't have the same levels of disturbance as Holy Trinity, but we did have some abuse across the fence and dogs roaming in the playground."

Mr Andrew Johnson, council environmental health manager, said legal proceedings against the gypsies were started immediately they arrived.

Magistrates granted the council a removal order on Wednesday afternoon, giving the travellers 24 hours to leave or be forced off the car park.

He said Bury was one of the fastest authorities in the North West in evicting gypsies.

Mike Cannon, borough engineer, estimated that the council had lost £500 in unpaid parking charges.

Council leader John Byrne said he was fed up with the problems travellers posed, but the council had to follow legal procedures.

"It's not just their trespassing on other people's land, it's the mess they leave," said Coun Byrne.

"Our people have got better things to do than run around clearing up after people who are irresponsible."

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