A GROUP of neighbours were furious to find that a convoy of travellers had pitched camp on a childrens playground. But their anger soon turned to frustration as they tried to get officials to move their 'guests' on.

The recent arrival of travellers on Liverpool Road in Pewfall particularly incensed residents when at least 30 caravans took over a children's playground breaking a fence in order to get access the field.

One woman told the Star that when she saw the group of travellers arrive last Monday she reported it to St Helens council who, she says, ignored her complaint and simply referred her to the police. But the police then told her that they could only act if she had actually seen the travellers causing criminal damage.

After almost a week of tolerating the disorder brought by the travellers, local residents were relieved to disover that they were moved on on Sunday.

And while the police and St Helens council are aware of the issues concerning travellers, they are restricted on the action they can take as they are obliged to follow strict laws, which means that the travellers have often moved on to a new location before a removal order can be enforced.

A spokesperson for St Helens Council said: "As soon as we are notified that there are travellers in the area we deal with them as soon as we can. We are now following all the necessary procedures so that the travellers can be moved on as soon as possible. We have served them with a court order which demands that they move on immediately."