THE owner of land where a large group of travellers have been causing havoc for more than two weeks said he is dealing with the problem through “diplomatic negotiation”.

As previously reported, the Old Porcelain Ground, in Droitwich Road, Worcester, has been home to Irish travellers since before Easter, forcing football teams who use the area to train and play matches elsewhere.

Police have received reports of a nearby business being pelted with eggs, hoses stolen from nearby allotments and balls taken from a golf course.

Landowner Baljinder Singh lets Droitwich Spa Eagles FC and Worcester Raiders FC use the area for free, providing they take care of maintenance.

Mr Singh, formerly of Fernhill Heath but now living in Birmingham, has been advised by police on the steps he can take to evict them – but he said a court order will only be sought as a last resort.

He said: “I have not been to speak to the travellers myself.

“My sons have been down because we were getting a bit worried about the level of rubbish.

“I don’t want people to think we have not been doing anything.”

Mr Singh said his father was very good friends with the owners of a tool company in Oldbury, West Midlands, who do a lot of trade with Irish travellers.

“I asked them to have a word with the travellers to put a bit of pressure on them to move and stop smashing up the place,” he said.

"Also to tell them to respect the land a bit more, not to leave excrement and throw rubbish.

“We have all got to live with each other but they are causing problems in the local area so we have got to put pressure on them through people who know them.

“We thought that was the best solution, trying to resolve it through diplomatic negotiation. Going over there and being obtuse with them is not the right way.

“We feel a court order should be the last resort.

“I heard they were in the area for a wedding and wanted to stay in the area for about a month.

"But that is not fair on the football teams.

“I haven’t minded them using the land in the past for a couple of days.”

Mr Singh said he will take steps to ensure the travellers can’t come back in the future.

He said: “After they have left we have got to take the right measures to ensure this doesn’t happen again.

“We might have to dig a trench.”