A GROUP of travellers moved onto Verwood Memorial Recreation Ground last night before moving on again this lunchtime.

A group of 10 caravans moved onto the ground off Ringwood Road on Sunday evening.

This morning, another seven caravans arrived on site.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said they had been called last night and took details but the matter was in the hands of the local authority.

It is understood the travellers have moved from land near Morrisons.

They have since moved from the ground.

More travellers have also moved onto Branksome Recreation Ground this afternoon.

Police said they had been called to the rec with the arrival of another five caravans. 

Last week, head of countryside and business development for the council, Dave Ayre, said that as of Wednesday, there were 14 groups of travellers in Dorset.

However, the temporary transit site set up in Tarrant Hinton to deal with travellers attending the Great Dorset Steam Fair is already proving to be a success.

“Already, 16 caravans have moved there from an encampment in Blandford, and we believe a further 11 from Shaftesbury will be moved there soon,” said Mr Ayre.

“The county council very much takes the view that, in the long-term, we want to provide authorised sites, which will cut down on the number of unauthorised encampments.”

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