CAR-OWNING workers expressed relief as dozens of travellers who had moved onto land near Bolton town centre packed up and left.

They drove away before Bolton Council could issue them with a court order obtained yesterday afternoon. They left behind sofas, gas canisters, rubbish, human waste and damage which included the smashing of car windows.

It has left some businessmen fuming that something was not done sooner. Keith Price, who owns a firm on Waterloo Street, said: "One of the travellers drove their Transit van into my car.

"They pulled down fences and made a real mess of the land. I find it disgraceful that these people feel they can do what they want."

Matters came to a head last Friday when motorists clashed with travellers blocking Calvin Street, close to the Valley Centertainment complex.

Police were called to deal with the problem. They arrested some travellers for motoring offences and obstruction and had some vehicles towed away.

The travellers were due to move today, but they went ahead of schedule yesterday, just as Bolton Council were applying for the court order. A council spokesman said: "They had gone before we had time to serve the notice." A clean-up operation will start to clear away the debris left behind.