TRAVELLERS camping at a long-stay car park in Ringwood have been given notice to leave from New Forest District Council.

The group, who turned up on Wednesday afternoon, had only left the town last weekend after being moved on from Carvers Recreation Ground.

From there they went to Avon Heath Country Park but have been at the car park, which lies next to the A31, for more than two days now.

There are 11 caravans and one tent currently pitched at the lorry park opposite Waitrose along with many cars.

Officers from New Forest District Council had opened the barrier to the car park yesterday morning, leaving them with a clear route out.

They have now been served with an order to leave by 11am today.

Town clerk of Ringwood Town Council, Terry Simpson said they had been forced to call in specialist contract cleaners after the travellers left last week.

He said the group had used the rear of the pavilion at the grounds as a toilet, meaning they had to cordon that part of the ground off until the work had been completed.

Before the travellers arrived at Ringwood last week, they had also been seen at Twynham School in Christchurch and Potterne Park in Verwood.

Councillors at Ringwood Town Council were angry Hampshire Police had not used a special Section 61 notice to remove them when they arrived last Monday.