Travellers have come under fire from residents and traders after two groups set up illegal camps in Bradford.

A group of travellers left a trail of rubbish when they moved on from a piece of land in Holme Wood and a separate group had to be moved on by Bradford Council officers yesterday after going illegally into a city centre car park.

The first group, who were living in about five caravans, left a caravan, gas cylinders, rubbish and used nappies on the ground owned by Brunel Housing Association, between Middleham Court and Ingleborough Close.

Residents who live near the land alerted the housing association because of possible health hazards on the land which is used by children to play ball games.

Sue Kemp, whose home in Middleham Court backs on to the site, said: "There were dirty disposable nappies, gas cylinders, pallets and rubbish on the land. And there was human excrement on the back of my fence. I was having some work done on my fence and the painters refused to paint the side of fence because of it."

The 45-year-old mum-of-three added: "Someone could have caught dysentery from the dirty nappies. I am worried about children playing there. It was filthy and a danger to everyone."

Residents say they informed Brunel Housing Association about the problem more than two weeks ago after the travellers moved on but that the rubbish wasn't moved until yesterday.

But Brunel Housing Association insist they acted as soon as they knew the travellers had left.

The association's interim asset manager Wayne Seaborn said: "I made arrangements straight away for it to be cleared and for preventative measures to be put in place to stop travellers residing there in the future. Once it's cleared we will be putting in steel posts by the entrance to stop any future vehicle access."

Another convoy of travellers were moved on after they moved illegally into a city centre car park for the third time in six months.

The group with about 11 caravans was persuaded to move by Bradford Council officers yesterday after they had moved into the Simes Street car park on Monday.

A Bradford Council spokesman said its Gipsy Liaison Service went on site early on Monday morning to begin possession proceedings.

He said: "During the course of this and following lengthy negotiations, the gipsies were persuaded to leave.

''This took place shortly before lunchtime yesterday.

"We share the traders' concerns about the effect of the travellers on business in Bradford and their occupation of an important city centre car park, and we dealt with the situation quickly. These are not the same gipsies that settled in Holme Wood, who have now also left."