ANGRY residents on a Preston housing estate are afraid their local park is being turned into a gypsy caravan site.

The recreation ground in Frenchwood is currently home to about a dozen travelling families who have been there for more than a week. Local people on the estate are outraged the council didn't move them on as soon as they arrived.

Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator Joan Higginson of The Boulevard, complained: "The council doesn't seem to be doing anything about it. Why does it take so long to have them moved on? They should be on proper sites paying fees."

But council staff claim it can take up to ten days to have the caravans removed legally. Assistant director of estates John Harpin said: "It's down to our lawyers applying to the courts for an order."

The travellers say they just want somewhere to settle. Mother-of-two Victoria Wall said: "As it is, the kids can't even go to school."

Local people are afraid that once the travellers leave, they'll be back within days, forcing the whole legal process to start again.

Ian Dawson who's home overlooks the park, said: "It's only six weeks since they were here. It appears this is going to be a regular stop-off for them."

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