A GROUP of travellers have been moved out of Hyndburn after a council won a court order forcing them from a popular Accrington beauty spot.

Seven caravans and other vehicles set up on the fields at Arden Hall in Accrington, just metres away from the home of local MP Graham Jones.

And, after complaints from residents, Hyndburn Council won a court order to remove the travellers.

They were given 24 hours to leave and finally vacated the site yesterday morning, leaving a rubbish-filled scene behind them. The travellers then went to fields off Bolton Avenue in Huncoat before leaving the area.

One resident, who asked not to be named, said: “The travellers were causing a lot of problems, particularly with noise, rubbish, and waste.

“This is a nice area and it was being spoiled by people who should not be here.”

Arden Hall is popular with walkers and is a wildlife site, often hosting bat walks and wildflower projects.

The grassland is accessed by Hodder Street, where Mr Jones lives.

He said: “I have been over to talk to them. They said they wouldn’t make a mess and said they would move on after a couple of days. They have had generators going all night and children screaming.

“I’ve had neighbours knocking on my door asking me to sort it out.

“The council has done well and got a court order quickly.”

The travellers arrived on Sunday, June 5, and the numbers steadily increased after that.

Another neighbour said: “I have two young girls who we take on the fields frequently to play whilst also walking our dogs. We had been unable to do this since the arrival of the travellers.

“Everyone knows that there are a lot of sites in this area for travellers and I cannot believe that they were able to stay here for so long.”