A COMPANY has blasted travellers who have set up an illegal camp in Westhoughton.

Up to 14 caravans have been parked on a council playing field near Wigan Road and Southfield Drive, since Wednesday night.

Office staff who work at recruitment agency HMR North-west Ltd said the travellers are camped immediately opposite their offices.

They have contacted the police and council chiefs in an attempt to get the travellers evicted from the land.

Carol Mills, recruitment consultant for HMR North-west Ltd, said: "They arrived on Wednesday night and Thursday morning and there was a lot of comings and goings.

"We spoke to the police but they said there was nothing they could do, it was all red tape.

"They told us it was a council matter. The council has been informed but it will take time legally for the travellers to move off the land.

"There are so many dogs and children running around."

Westhoughton Cllr David Wilkinson, said: "I've had an enormous number of calls from people who are concerned about this and the process has begun to move the group on.

"Fortunately, the land is dry and hasnt been too badly damaged but the last time we had travellers in the area we were left with a £7,000 bill to clean up the site after they left.

"I have said before that the public has got a role to play in keeping these people out of the area. They are clearly equipped to work on peoples houses but if people dont give them work they will move on."

A spokesman for Bolton Council said legal representatives had began proceedings against the travellers on Thursday with the eviction notice expected to take seven days.

During the past 12 months travellers have set up illegal camps in the Westhoughton area at Chequerbent recreation ground, Wingates Industrial estate and the former Metal Box factory site.