DANGEROUS gas cylinders and debris were left on a play area after travellers set up camp on the site, council chiefs revealed today.

Burnley Council said it was forced to launch a massive clean up operation on the site.

Staff from the council's green space and amenities unit went into action and cleared debris from Hargher Clough recreation ground within 48 hours of the travellers leaving the site earlier this week.

The group of around 15 caravans appeared at the site last week.

The group left gas cylinders, rubbish bags, tarmac, soil, tree branches, broken glass, rotting food and soiled clothing, as well as other debris, on the recreation ground to the dismay of local residents.

Council leader Stuart Caddy said: "As soon as we became aware of this mess we went into action to clear it up as quickly as possible.

"The gas cylinders and other dangerous rubbish was cleared away on Monday as a matter of priority and the following day staff went along to clear the rest of it away. The clean up operation was finished by Wednesday morning.

"We shifted around four skips worth of rubbish."

The council said the kind of rubbish left by the travellers suggested they had been doing odd jobs in the area and then dumping materials on the recreation ground.

Clean-up campaigner Peter Tarren, who lives in nearby Peace Street, said: "It makes you wonder what is the point of working hard to clean up the town." Residents are thought to be putting together plans to try and fund a barrier for the site