TRAVELLERS who have set up a string of illegal camps on playing fields will soon find themselves blocked by fencing.

A fund of £10,000 has been earmarked for fencing around Hulton Lane playing fields.

Travellers have used the fields as an encampment three times in two years - each time leaving the area strewn with nappies, household waste and building materials.

Bolton Council has spent thousands of pounds in legal fees to get court orders for eviction of the travellers and on expensive clean-up operations after the families had left.

A 700-name petition was given to the council calling for security at the playing fields.

The authority has put aside money, which councillors say will save thousands of pounds and spare the fury of residents.

Last year, The Bolton News revealed that during the last 10 years £65,000 had been spent on cleaning up waste left behind after travellers had left public spaces.

Knee-high fencing will be erected behind houses at the back of Hulton Lane and councillors will lobby for more money to secure car parks in the future.

Cllr Phil Ashcroft, who has led the campaign, said: "Nothing will be done until the residents have been consulted and we have agreement from the majority with regards the proposed scheme.

"The petition obviously helped and we thank residents them for supporting this scheme."

Cllr Andy Morgan said: "We will continue to lobby the powers that be for more funding to secure this site to the satisfaction of residents, who have had to endure repeat visitations by travellers."