COUNCIL chiefs will head to the courts this week after travellers ignored orders to leave a site in Newton-Le-Willows.

Around 20 caravans pitched up at the Dingle in Earlestown late last week.

A spokesman for St Helens Council said the group was served legal papers giving them 24 hours to leave.

That deadline passed, and council officers issued fresh legal papers informing the group the council will be seeking an eviction notice through the courts.

A council spokesman said: “The council has started legal proceedings against a group of travellers that have set up an unauthorised encampment at an area in Earlestown known locally as the Dingle.

“The group have been served with a Section 78 eviction notice which will be heard by the courts early this week.”