TRAVELLERS who arrived at a site in Farnworth for the third time this year have now left.

Around four caravans appeared at the entrance to the football pitches at Darley Park, on Fern Street, at around 8pm on Wednesday night and the vehicles were parked on the road, while the gate remained locked.

It is the third time since the start of the Summer that a group has settled in the area.

The Bolton News:

Officers from the Bolton Council's Gypsy Liaison Office attended the site and spoke with the new arrivals.

A representative from the council said: "Unfortunately we have an unauthorised encampment at Fern street.

"The Assistant Gypsy Liaison officer together with the dog warden have been out to visit them this morning, Directions have been served upon them to move on.

"The police have visited them and have stated they will revisit later today."

The council had served the group with a 24-hour eviction notice in May, after a group returned to the same site that travellers had previously settled on.

A number of other groups have settled in the Farnworth area over the Summer, including a camp on Highfield Road and another on the approach to Farnworth Cemetery, not far from Darley Park.