A COUNCILLOR is calling on town hall bosses to take extra security measures to stop travellers camping on a popular Oswaldtwistle park before residents take the law into their own hands.

A 20-strong band of caravans moved off White Ash playing fields this week just hours after Hyndburn Council obtained an order from magistrates to have them evicted.

But Peter Britcliffe, the leader of the Tory group on the council, wants security measures at the White Ash fields stepped up even further.

Council bosses have already had a gate put up on the lane leading to the fields.

Boulders and banking have also been put round the field but the latest unwanted visitors still managed to break through.

Local residents and the cricket teams who use the playing fields are growing increasingly angry about the situation. They are also upset at the state the field was left in when the latest batch of caravans departed.

Coun Britcliffe said: "I went down to the fields the other night and I could see someone riding a motor bike across the cricket pitch. "Some people seem to have a lot of sympathy for travellers but I just don't understand why that is.

"I don't have one bit of sympathy for anyone who has no respect for something that is there for everyone's pleasure and enjoyment."

He added: "Hyndburn Council has already gone some way to making the field secure bit it has become obvious that those measures are not enough.

"I am growing increasingly concerned about the situation because the people who live near the playing fields and use them regularly are getting angrier and angrier.

"Hyndburn Council should do enough to make it impossible for the travellers to get back on to the playing fields.

"It is getting to the stage now where someone is going to decide to do something silly and take the law into their own hands."

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