The travelling group which left Westfield Recreation Ground on Thursday and moved to Western Park has been given until Monday afternoon to leave the area.

Ashby de la Zouch Town Council has issued an update on the latest development on the group after their arrival in the town last Sunday.

Council leader John Coxon says moving them from the Westfields estate was 'Community spirit at its best'.

But now residents around the Western Park area of Ashby have made similar complaints after some 18 caravans camped up on the ground.

Their arrival looks to have postponed tomorrow's (Saturday) David Hunt Soccer School session with vehicles situated around the park.

Cllr Coxon said: "The Town Council has received a number of messages and telephone calls from concerned members of the public regarding the presence of traveller caravans on Western Park which occurred on the afternoon of Thursday 29th July 2021.

"It is, by and large, the same group who had previously occupied Westfields Recreation Ground in the early part of the week.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank local residents for their help in clearing up Westfields Recreation Ground on Thursday evening.

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"It was community spirit at its very best.

"In respect of Western Park, I have been in contact with the Multi Agency Travellers Unit (MATU) Service Manager at Leicestershire County Council.

"The Leicestershire Police Traveller Liaison Officer has been out to this group, comprising of around 18 caravans.

"He has assessed the situation and, in the presence of the Town Clerk, has served notice on the group under section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.

"The travellers have until the afternoon of Monday 2nd August 2021 to vacate Western Park.

"The police will enforce this deadline should they need to do so.

"Local officers will continue to monitor the site and its occupants during this time.

"Please be reassured that the Town Council has acted as quickly as possible in this situation and it will continue to work with the police and Leicestershire County Council to minimise any disruption."

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