A GROUP of travellers who parked up at the former fire station on Parr Stocks Road have been moved on.

The group, which are reported to have parked up at the now disused station, were moved on by police, officers have confirmed.

The left a short while after police attendance with no further issues.

The former St Helens Community Fire Station at Parr Stocks closed as part of a merger for the new "super station" which opened at the former Pilkington land off Milverny Way, St Helens – close to Ravenhead Retail Park.

The sale of the site was delayed in November so it could be used as a Covid-19 testing centre but a planning application has since been submitted to St Helens Council by developers Gradan Homes Ltd.

The development firm had submitted proposals to demolish the former Raven Hotel building on Church Street in St Helens town centre and replace it with a block of flats, but these were refused permission by the council's planning committee last September.

The plans are for demolition of a fire station training tower to the back of the station.

Proposals state this is to "enable a new housing development to be built" with the site to be "redeveloped for residential use".

They add that demolition works are expected to take place from March 8 to April 16 this year.