COUNCIL bosses will pursue court action to remove travellers on Haresfinch Park after they failed to move within 24-hours of being served legal papers.

The group – who are believed to be from France – were served with a section 77 notice by St Helens Council officials on Thursday after rolling onto the park the previous evening.

A section 77 notice gives local authorities the power to direct individuals to remove their vehicles and belongings and to leave highway land within 24-hours.

After failing to heed the notice within the time limit, the council will now seek to pursue the group’s removal through the courts.

A council spokesman said: “The council is aware of the issue and is taking the necessary legal steps to have the group removed from Haresfinch Park as soon as possible.

“The group was served with legal papers by St Helens Council yesterday but have not vacated the park in the allotted time.

“The council will now take the matter to the courts.”

Cllr Paul Lynch, Moss Bank ward councillor, said yesterday that if the council is forced to take further legal action then the court hearing will be done as “quickly as the court system will allow”.

The Labour councillor confirmed to the Local Democracy Reporter Service today that the travellers are from France, following discussions with Merseyside Police.