TRAVELLERS have left piles of rubbish and human and animal excrement behind after repeatedly invading a patch of private land.

Concerned councillors say that as soon as one group of travellers leave the land on the A38 between Fernhill Heath and Martin Hussingtree, another group arrives.

The latest incursion on the land, owned by Worcestershire County Council, happened on Monday when four caravans were parked on the land.

Police and the council have been notified.

The issue was raised at a meeting of North Claines Parish Council at Fernhill Heath Baptist Church on Monday.

Coun Alan Fisher, a Wychavon district councillor for Lovett and North Claines, said travellers had invaded the site in "unprecedented numbers" this year, bringing with them dogs, sheep, goats and horses He added: "It has been none stop. We have looked at the possibility of fencing but the farmer also needs access to the land. The travellers remove fences anyway. They are not co-operative. They don't care. They have left debris, manure and human excrement. People don't feel safe walking back from the pub. People are sick and tried of it."Coun Fisher also said that children as young as nine felt "intimidated" because they had to walk past the travellers on their way to school in Droitwich from Fernhill Heath.

Ted Sheldon, a Worcestershire county councillor for Bowbrook, said the cost of clearing up after the travellers was a burden to ratepayers.

He said: "The public has to pick up the bill for this. We have had dozens of travellers this year - one group goes and another arrives."

A spokesman for Worcestershire County Council confirmed on Tuesday that the land belonged to the council and that a traveller liaison officer would be sent along to talk to them.

He said: "We're scheduled to meet with them this afternoon or first thing tomorrow morning. We haven't been able to speak to them yet. We don't know how long they're thinking of staying around or what their intentions are. They are on private property which belongs to us. We always try and resolve these things amicably."