Travellers who were evicted from a site in Bolton have once again reiterated their desire to stay in the town and also to return to the site in Moses Gate.

The local authority closed down the official Gypsy and Traveller Site, known as Crompton Lodge.

Many of those forced to leave say they had been there for a number of years.

Since then some have left Bolton including one who moved to Accrington.

However a significant number have stayed in the town and have set up camp in Breightmet and Darcy Lever.

Read more: Travellers heartbroken after eviction

Read more: Bolton travellers sad to leave Breightmet

Read more: Breightmet councillor says mixed reaction as travellers emerge

(Image: NQ)

Recently a number of caravans were seen in Little Lever on a field near Meadow Close in Little Lever.

Bolton Council said they would conduct a welfare check before taking action to move the Travellers of the site.

(Image: NQ)

And they have once again spoken of their desire to stay in Bolton and if possible return to their former home.

Eileen Ward said: "We have been in Breightmet, Darcey Lever, Leverhulme Park, and now we are here.

"It is ok here. It is difficult to wash the kids without water.

"People have been over to offer us water though.

"We want to stay in Bolton, for medical reasons and to keep the kids in school.

"The school holidays have started which is a bit of relief because it was torture getting them there.

"We are very stressed so it is hard trying to do stuff with the kids. We'll be staying in Bolton and we want to get back to Moses Gate."

She added: "People around here have been fine with us.

"There are a lot of things said on the internet but it is fake, it is now how things are."

In the aftermath of the eviction Bolton Council leader Nick Peel said the focus would be on finding a new home for those who had left.

He said: “As the judge acknowledged, the council has always understood that Crompton Lodge is, first and foremost, a home and a place that is much loved by the families who live there.

“The safety and wellbeing of those tenants has been the council’s key priority throughout this process, and the decision to pursue a closure order was never taken lightly.

“However, the overwhelming evidence presented to the court shows we had reached a point where it was no longer possible to safely maintain the site.

“It would have been unacceptable to continue with the site as it was, a situation which harmed tenants, local residents, and the wider Traveller community.

“Our focus now turns to supporting our tenants to find a new home in a safe and secure environment, while the site remains closed and secure.”