LEGAL action is being taken against a group of unwanted travellers who have set up camp in a Newton Abbot park.

The unwelcome bunch, with a convoy of some 20 vehicles, rolled onto Bakers Park’s playing fields last Thursday after breaking down a gate.

Senior officers at Teignbridge Council, which owns and runs the beauty spot, insist they are doing all they can to remove the travellers.

The convoy of trespassers arrived at the park just after 4pm with a line of vans and vehicles queuing up at the locked security barrier at the end of the car park.

Some dog walkers were about to leave the site when their exit was effectively blocked by the lengthy entourage which extended back towards the main park entrance.

One witness said afterwards: ‘I was trying to leave – but the travellers just blocked the way. ‘I remonstrated, and one of them just grunted.

‘Then I heard a loud noise followed moments later by the whole cavalry of vans streaming across the grass to take up what I imagine many will see as their much resented illegal residence.

‘I hope Teignbridge deal with the matter promptly. I have no problem with travellers – but I do with such a cavalier attitude of bash and grab in spaces of public recreation.’

Another worried dog walker told the Mid-Devon Advertiser that the unwelcome guests nearly ran her four-legged pal over because they were driving around the fields.

She complained: ‘It is very intimidating for dog walkers using the park.

‘A lot of people have arrived at the park and turned around when they saw the travellers.’

A spokesman for Teignbridge Council said today (July 30): ‘In accordance with legal procedures we have today approached the court to seek to issue proceedings to have them removed at the earliest opportunity.

‘Legal rules state there must be two clear days between the court issuing a claim and it being served on the travellers and a hearing date, at which the matter will go before a judge.’