FED-up residents say travellers camping at a community centre are leaving piles of rubbish when they move on.

Residents in Green Lane, Blackburn, say they are fed up of piles of rubbish being left after encampments of travellers leave.

A dozen caravans were on the fields and car park at Greenfield Community Centre over Easter and were served notices to vacate by Blackburn with Darwen Council on Wednesday.

The caravans left yesterday morning, but residents said piles of rubbish and gas canisters were left behind.

One Green Lane resident Terry Gray said: “It is an absolute eyesore when they go.

“This is about the third or fourth time they have been in the last few years. The council moves them on each time.

“You do wish they would take the hint and stop coming in the first place. It would be fantastic if the council could stop them coming at all.”

Another resident said: “It’s just a mess whenever they go. There’s also quite a bit of nuisance from the kids and a lot of people find it intimidating. I am glad the council got the notices to move them out, I just wish it could be taken care of sooner.”

The site has been cleaned and Blackburn with Darwen Council said it would always ensure legal notices were served to ensure travellers evacuated the land as quickly as possible.

Ward councillor Brian Gordon said: “The travellers did start leaving the rubbish in bin liners, so they made some attempt just before going. Before that though, there was rubbish flying everywhere and even human waste.

“Residents even saw travellers in their teens doing their business in full view of people. It is a problem. I’ve called for a meeting with councillors, police and council officers to see how much more can be done.”