CONCERNED householders inundated the police with complaints after a group of travellers parked up on council-owned football pitches in Evesham.

Wychavon District Council has now taken legal action against the group of Gypsies, who have been illegally parked on the Davies Road recreation ground since Thursday.

The travellers have been warned that if they do not remove their caravans by midday tomorrow, Friday, the council will take court action.

Evesham beat manager PC Paul Adams said: "We have responded to a number of complaints in relation to the site on the playing field on Davies Road. Generally people have reported feeling intimidated by the presence of this group or feel they have been causing a nuisance."

Ian Marshall, head of legal services at Wychavon, said: "We served a notice on Tuesday and the gypsies will be required to vacate the site by Friday at midday. We are hopeful they will leave at or before this time but if not we will follow up with a court action."

Town and district councillor John Smith said he had been amazed to see caravans on the site and he hoped the legal bid to remove them would be successful. "It is a totally inappropriate place for anyone to park up with caravans - it is a recreation ground for the use of Evesham residents."