TRAVELLERS who set up camp in the grounds of a top private school have finally moved on, but are now encamped at nearby council playing fields and tearing up sports pitches with their cars

Vans, caravans and a horse were parked up at the entrance to Woodhouse Grove School, next to Harrogate Road, in Apperley Bridge for three weeks until forced off by legal action on Wednesday.

And they instantly moved to the car park of Apperley Bridge Playing fields, prompting a storm of complaints to police and local councillors.

Liberal Democrat leader on Bradford Council and Idle and Thackley Councillor Jeanette Sunderland said she had now received "loads of calls" from angry and worried residents.

"Apparently travellers are revving their vehicles and racing around on the pitches - and that's not on," Cllr Sunderland said.

"I'm getting loads of complaints and it's wrong because the council spends a lot of money on keeping the fields in good order and clubs then pay to use them.

"While I have some sympathy with the travelling community, this sort of thing is not acceptable.

"I have spoken to the council about this and they will be asking the police to go up to the playing fields and speak to the travellers about this.

"Unfortunately our own gypsy liaison officer is on holiday until June 8," she said.

Cllr Sunderland said it was the same group of travellers who had been at Woodhouse Grove School until Wednesday night.

"It appears they left the school and got into the Apperley Bridge playing fields car park which wasn't secured.

"If they had just been here for a family occasion then they would have left the area now, so that's clearly not the case.

"We need to make sure the playing fields are fully accessible for everyone to use as it's coming up to summer and people want to get onto them.

"So now due legal process will have to take place again," Cllr Sunderland said.

A spokesman for Bradford Council said: "As with every case of illegal traveller encampments on Council land we will ask the court for a Possession Order for the site.

"When that is served and the travellers have moved on from the playing fields we will clean up the site and restore it to its original condition as soon as possible."

A West Yorkshire police spokesman confirmed they had been made aware of the travellers' arrival at Apperley Bridge playing fields and were liaising with Bradford Council.