BOLTON Wanderers have put up barriers in a bid to banish gipsies from Burnden Park.

The Super Whites - sick of travellers pitching up at their famous old stadium - have dumped huge mounds of earth blocking entry to the derelict Manchester Road site.

And today the club told the BEN: "Hopefully this will resolve the matter once and for all."

Wanderers ordered workmen to dump the earth after repeated gipsy visits to Burnden's large car park sparked fury from residents and local businesses.

Following a recent invasion of 40 caravans packed full of travellers, award-winning Indian restaurant Sunar Gaw, opposite the stadium, said its takings had been slashed by a third.

Wanderers have previously been forced to wait for time-consuming court eviction orders to turf out the gipsies. But today the Trotters said they hoped the earth barriers would improve life for the local community.

Club spokesman Alan Fullelove said: "You can't say for sure whether this will keep the gipsies out, but we wanted to do something to ease residents' concerns."

Earth mounds have been chosen because the club believes them to be the best and safest way to stop convoys of caravans getting on to Burnden's car park.

Mr Fullelove explained: "Obviously something like a moat is dangerous and fencing can be cut through."

Wanderers plan to bulldoze Burnden "as soon as it is practically possible".

However, no demolition date has been set.

This week Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott ordered a public inquiry into plans for a shopping development at the site.

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