TRAVELLERS descended on Petersfield again this week and were camped on land at Penns Place as The Herald went to press on Wednesday.

A large group of caravans arrived at the Taro Centre on Monday afternoon and a small number gained access to the town council-owned playing fields.

The rest of the convoy remained on the district council car park in front of the Taro Leisure Centre.

Petersfield police reacted quickly, but Insp Steve Sargent said they had no powers to stop travellers camping on the land.

He said: ÒWe went down to make sure no trouble broke out. We have no powers to stop them entering the land because it is a matter of civil trespass.Ó

He added: ÒWe got there within the first two or three vans arriving but we cannot stop them from entering. Until the country outlaws this activity it will remain outside our powers.Ó

East Hampshire District Council has started legal proceedings to remove the group and eviction notices have been served.

A spokesman for EHDC, Steve Bradley, said the group were all on the car park area and were set to leave by the end of the week.

Petersfield Town Council has suffered from encampments on its land at Penns Farm on numerous occasions, and has recently taken steps to protect the area.

This summer travellers disrupted a prestigious dog show and a junior six-a-side tournament on the playing fields.

The town council has installed dragonÕs-teeth bollards around the field, but this group of travellers gained access because a gate has yet to be fitted.

But town mayor George Watkinson said the travellers had left the town council-owned land and had all moved onto the car park.

He said: ÒThey have moved off town land. The bollards have paid dividends and when the gate arrives they will not get on at all.Ó