A GROUP of travellers have parked up at the King George V playing fields in Haydock.

At around 8pm last night, around 14 caravans turned up and gained access to the fields, which are used by Haydock Amateur Rugby League Football Club.

Club development officer Andy Howlett hopes the council and the police will do "all they can" to remove the group as soon as possible ahead of their rugby festival this Sunday.

Andy said: "The teams train on that field four days a week, and even though the festival is held at the nearby cricket club, they should be in preparation and training has had to be cancelled until they move on.

"It's very upsetting because 18 teams are coming to the area on Sunday and we should be training for that, and because of them taking over the field we can't, plus until the council move them on we don't know if any damage has been caused.

"There's not a lot we can do, they have their rights, but this is affecting the children as young as seven who use this site for their health and fitness.

"The committee is hoping that the council and the police will do all they can to move this group on as quick as they can.

"The travellers know their rights but if they could move on as quick as possible that would be the best thing."

A St Helens Council spokesperson added: "We have been informed that travellers have moved onto a plot of land in Haydock and we are taking measures to serve them a notice to move on today.

"If they do not comply with the order we will seek court action to remove them from the site."