RESIDENTS were furious after two groups of travellers set up camp in Blackburn’s premier park.

An investigation has been launched into how the groups were able to pitch up at Witton Park.

Three caravans and several cars arrived on Tuesday evening, after gaining entry through a gate which is normally kept locked.

Police said the Irish travellers, who are pitched between the Pavilion cafe and a play area, belonged to the same group which was forced to leave Hoghton cricket club after a stand-off with club officials and supporters the day before.

Earlier in the week a group of French travellers moved onto the site, near the football field at the Pleasington end of the park.

Yesterday morning bags of rubbish could be seen outside the caravans by the Pavilion, a dog was running around untethered, and washing had been hung along the side of the race track where Blackburn Harriers will be training this weekend.

The athletics arena is currently undergoing a multi-million pound redevelopment programme, as part of East Lancashire’s 2012 London Olympics’ legacy.

Visitors to the park have called on Blackburn with Darwen Council to do more to deal with illegal traveller camps.

Rebecca Mills, 21, from Blackburn, said: “I have been coming to this park for years and years and this sort of thing should not be going on.

“It’s spoiling it for everyone and it’s not very nice that they are hanging up their washing on the railings.

“The council have got to get a grip on this soon and get them out of here.”

Colin Smith, 33, from Blackburn, said: “It’s a disgrace that they have just driven up here and parked where they like for as long as they like.

“The council should be doing more to prevent this type of thing because it’s not fair on everyone else.”

And Paul Foster, 19, from Blackburn, said: “It’s not something that you would expect to find in a nice park like this.

“It lowers the experience for everyone and they really should not be here.

“Someone should find another place for them to go.”

Tensions have also arisen between the two groups of travellers.

Police said they received a complaint on Tuesday night from a French traveller reporting that the new arrivals were using abusive language towards him.

Damian Talbot, executive member for the leisure, culture and young people, said: “I will be taking it up with officers to see how they have got onto the site.

“The council has notified the police and a notice requesting the travellers vacate the park has already been served to them.

“They must leave the site no later than Thursday evening."

“We don’t know how they got onto the site. There is a locked barrier, but they are very determined people. I will be discussing this with officers.

“It is not just the council who have access to the gate, Myerscough College also use the road.”

A spokeswoman from Myerscough College said its staff had not granted the travellers entry.

She said: “Our staff have access but we are under strict instructions to lock the barrier when we drive through it, and it’s something that we always do.

“All our staff are quite stringent on that. It’s not us that have left it open.”

Meadowhead councillor Ashley Whalley said the same travellers had been spotted in Tower Road earlier in the week.

He said: “It is very frustrating for residents as there is a lengthy legal process councils have to go through to move travellers on.

“As ward councillor I am obviously concerned that officers deal with this as soon as possible.”

Conservative opposition leader Councillor Mike Lee said: “They should be evicted immediately. They have no respect for anyone else’s property.

“They leave a tip behind them, they just don’t care and leave council tax payers to pick up the bill. I can understand why people are angry.

Staff at Pavilion Cafe and Blackburn Harriers declined to comment.