BOSSES of an international textile firm fear their business could be harmed by travellers camped on land next to their headquarters.

And Morada International, based on Shadsworth Industrial Estate, Blackburn, claims that Blackburn with Darwen Council is doing little to evict the unwanted visitors from outside the new £2million factory.

Now the firm is demanding action to remove the travellers after a catalogue of incidents including:

People defecating in public

Wild dogs running around the site

Rubbish littering the site

A spokesman for the company said up to nine caravans and other vehicles had been parked on land adjacent to the factory for the past four weeks.

"Because they are on council-owned land, there is nothing we as a company can do to have them removed," he said. "The Council just does not seem to be interested in solving the problem. One staff member was attacked by a dog which knocked her over and bit her.

"They are defecating in full view of everyone and the site is like a tip. We pay £48,000 per year in rates and I believe we are right to demand action."

Morada International, which employs around 50 people, makes fabric for the fashion industry and receives a constant stream of international visitors.

"In the fabric business, first impressions are very important," said the spokesman. "The picture we are presenting to the outside world is far from ideal. We are having an open day on March 20 to which the Mayor has been invited and we hope something will be sorted out by then. "A Blackburn with Darwen Council spokesman said: " We are aware of the situation and council officers have visited the site. We are also discussing the issue with the police."

Picture: Morada International site manager Jack Blakey with the travellers' caravans