TRAVELLERS who have pitched up on land in Darwen “must be moved on as soon as possible”, councillors say.

Up to 20 caravans, cars and trucks have moved on to a field off Eccleshill Road, prompting residents of nearby properties to contact local representatives with their concerns.

East Rural councillor Julie Slater said: “It’s a worry. The sooner they are moved on, the better. There are a lot of houses around that area and people will not be happy.”

Coun Roy Davies, who represents the nearby Sudell ward, said: “They are a nuisance.

“Blackburn with Darwen Council has provided some really good permanent sites for these travelling families and has spent a lot of money in the process.

“So I don’t think it’s fair to the council to do this.

"When travellers leave these sites, there’s usually a lot of cleaning up to do.”

He added: “The landowner has left it open from the road, unlike some others up there who have put blockades up.

“But it’s a sad state of affairs when you have to put obstacles up.”

Ownership of the field, which is opposite the officers of East Lancashire Warehousing and near to the Crown Paints site, is disputed between United Utilities and Blackburn with Darwen Council.

A spokeswoman for Lancashire Constabulary said that officers had been to the site to speak to travellers.

She said the force were now trying to trace the owner of the land, with the aim of working with them to remove the caravans.