RESIDENTS near a disused brickworks where travellers have made camp claim they are suffering because of the noise.

The travellers towed more than 20 caravans on to a 'brownfield' site on Whinney Hill Lane, Accrington, more than a week ago.

The land is owned by Marshall's Clay Products, based in Halifax, and was formerly the Accrington brickworks.

Much of the noise comes from a generator on the site. One resident said: "It makes a hell of a racket. When I take the dogs out at night it sounds absolutely horrendous."

Another said: "It's very noisy, and the dogs come over and the kids come running around. The sad thing is, there is a recognised travellers' camp up the road."

Some neighbours said they were afraid to let their pets out in case they got hurt.

"I have three cats and the travellers have got air pistols and dogs," said one.

Coun Miles Parkinson, whose Altham ward covers the area, said: "The problem is because it's not public land where the council would deal with it.

"The private owner has to deal with it, but the council will help them. Hopefully the travellers will be moved as soon as possible.

"There is the problem of what's left behind and Marshalls may be left with the bill for that."

Chris Harrop, marketing director for Marshalls, said: "The site has been visited by our factory manager and the travellers informed it is private property, and as such, have been asked to leave. We will review the situation this weekend and if the travellers have not left, it is our policy to start court proceedings.

"Once the site is vacated, we will reinstate the fencing which has been damaged and barriers that have been moved."

A police spokesman said: "It's a local authority problem. They have got the powers to move them on, we haven't, but we would support the local authority in any action they took against the travellers."

Hyndburn environmental health chief Steve Todd said: "Where land is owned by an organisation that has control over that land, and resources to deal with it, it's their responsibility. With companies we leave it up to them to sort it out. They need to get an order to evict them. If the land was owned by the council it would be the council's responsibility."