Travellers that set up in Church three weeks ago are to be moved.

A van arrived on council land at the bottom of Market Street three weeks ago.

The occupants told council officers that they were attending a hospital appointment and were allowed to stay on compassionate grounds.

However, the council decided to take action when the encampment swelled to seven vans.

A council spokeswoman said: "When the travellers first arrived they advised us that they were here for a family member to attend a hospital appointment and in line with government legislation we must act compassionately in these cases.

"However the travellers have failed to move on. We have therefore again acted in line with government legislation and liaised with social services and other agencies prior to getting a court date so that bailiffs can be brought in to move them.

"Police have also been informed because there are more than six units there now."

The council will look into taking preventative measures to stop this land being used in this way in the future.

A resident of Alleytroydes, nearby, said: "They’re parked on council land which is a very nice grassed area. It started with one van and now there are seven. Accrington is well-endowed with traveller’s sites, why aren’t they on any of those?

"The first van arrived about three weeks ago, quickly followed by two other vans. Now the total’s gone up to seven. I’d like to see them moved on."