VOLUNTEERS from a football club have helped clear up a field where travellers had briefly set up camp.

The group from Perdiswell Colts FC use the field on Bilford Road to play and were initially worried the arrival of the travellers may have prevented a funday taking place at the beginning of July.

A group, including around 14 caravans, arrived on the fields, next to Perdiswell Primary School, at around 6.45pm on Sunday night but left on Monday lunchtime after police moved them on.

Mark Green, the club chairman, said: "Thankfully the damage isn't as bad as first thought.

"There are a few tyre marks over the pitches from where they were wheel spinning around but within a month it should be ok.

"We have a great group of families in the club who chipped in after the last caravan went to help clear all the mess they left behind.

"A couple of our coaches also managed to replace the broken hinges on the gate.

"We only sub-lease from Tudor Grange school and it isn't our responsibility really for the clear up and repairs but there was no way we were going to not have football on for our kids."

Mr Green said around 130 children play football on the pitches every week.

He said: "James Plaskitt, the club Secretary, Stuart Townsend, the club registration secretary and Geoff Briand, a team manager, were responsible for getting the main gate repaired and refitted. "The main clear up was done partly by myself but mainly by a player's parents Steve and Kia Giles who got there just after the final caravan had left, armed with bin bags and gloves got straight to work in picking all the rubbish up.

"They were joined by another parent Matt Gwynne to help clear up and he also used his car to get all the rubbish to the tip.

"Several other parents in the club also arrived after the school run to help but fortunately the majority had already been done.

"PCFC is more than just a youth football club, we are a big family who all pull together when it's needed.

"We also had offers of help from a couple of other managers from other football clubs which was a very nice gesture and much appreciated.

"We are so glad it wasn't as bad as first feared."

The club's funday will take place on Saturday, July 8.