TRAVELLERS who rolled their caravans onto popular playing fields in Hyndburn will be hauled before a court this morning after ignoring a notice ordering them to shift.

Four caravans and two cars were spotted at Baxenden Recreation Ground, off Hollins Lane, after they arrived on Friday. And more were spotted on the site yesterday.

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Hyndburn Council solicitors launched proceedings to get the travellers removed but the travellers have so far refused to leave.

Mark Hoyle, head of regeneration and housing, said: “In all cases of illegal encampment we are required to follow a legal process, which we set in motion on Friday when we were notified the site on Hollins Lane in Baxenden was being occupied.

“The latest position is that the illegal campers have failed to comply with a direction notice served by the council on Tuesday requiring them to leave the land within 24 hours.

“The campers have today been issued with a summons to attend court on Thursday morning at which time the council intends to apply for a court order, which, if granted, would require their removal from the land within 24 hours,” he explained.

Local councillor Terry Hurn said: “They are causing a problem. They are right beside a play area and the children are avoiding playing on it, so it hasn’t gone down well with residents.”

It can prove a costly and time-consuming process to force travellers to move from council land.

Authorities often have to issue the people parked on their land with a notice instructing them to leave and to attend court, where the council will apply for a possession order, which would allow bailiffs to move in if the travellers do not leave.

Local authorities have the power to direct unauthorised campers to leave unoccupied land if they are residing on it under section 77 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.