COUNCIL Tax payers will be picking up the bill for the cleaning-up operation after travellers moved from Penns Field at Petersfield last week.

The travellers left around two lorry loads of rubbish on the East Hampshire District Council-owned land, including hedge cuttings which had been dumped after travellers had carried out work in the Petersfield area.

The councilÕs contractors are also having to clean up land contaminated by human excrement.

There are likely to be further costs for local tax payers as around 20 caravans have now moved onto Petersfield Town Council-owned land on The Heath.

Town councillor Brian Dutton told The Herald: ÒThe travellers appear to have entered via a gate on Sussex Road and they have cut a large section out of the Heath Road East hedge.Ó

ÒNeedless to say this will cost the townÕs tax payers some considerable amount of money because of legal fees to evict them, and costs for any cleansing operations.Ó

East Hampshire District CouncilÕs traveller liaison officer Patricia Hughes said she was in contact with the town council, which was in the process of taking court action to remove the travellers.

Another group of travellers are still on the former coalyard next to the townÕs railway station after making camp there last Tuesday.

The land is now owned by Gisbourne Developments.

East Hampshire District Council has put out a warning to local residents to Òbeware of cold callersÓ after it was forced to spend some £600 of public money on clearing up in the wake of working travellers.

According to environmental health officer Patricia Hughes, Penns Field at Petersfield had to be cleared of tree cuttings left by travellers employed by people to carry out work on their homes.

ÒThe trend for people to Ôcold callÕ and offer to do work around the home, particularly tree lopping, paving or groundworks appears to be on the increase,Ó reported Ms Hughes.

ÒWhilst some of these people may offer a good service many housholders have experience of being overcharged, receiving shoddy work or being intimidated by cold callers. There have also been occurences of fly tipping by unscrupulous tradespeople.Ó

As a result the district council is advising residents to get quotes from at least two companies before proceeding with any such work.

ÒIf the company is reputable, they should be happy to provide the names of previous customers who can be contacted to confirm the quality of their work - itÕs even better if companies are recommended by friends or neighbours,Ó Mrs Hughes advised.

The council also recommends residents not to proceed until they are sure the work is necessary and they have a written estimate of the costs.

Another way to have a range of home repairs or groundworks carried out is by using the REACT handyperson scheme, which is run by Drum Enterprises and supported by East Hampshire District Council. This scheme uses professional electricians, plumbers, bricklayers and other experts who are capable of a wide range of general home repairs.

For further information about REACT call (01730) 403247.

q Petersfield Police are also warning residents in the area after recent incidents involving demands for money after gardening work.

A spokesman said there had been incidents where elderly residents had been approached by people offering to do garden work. Once the work was done, often to a poor standard, a demand was made for payment which was far in excess of the value of the work.

Petersfield Police Sgt Rhona Anderson said: ÒWe would not advise anyone to have work completed by someone who turns up on the doorstep offering services. We would advise that work was carried out by a reputable and established company or through a recommendation.Ó

Petersfield Police were called to a home in Petersfield where £350 had been demanded for hedge cutting. Sgt Anderson said: ÒA reputable local gardening company has informed me that the work should have cost about £70.Ó