FOOTBALL has had to be cancelled at a junior club after travellers moved onto its pitches. 

Rastrick Juniors said in a statement that caravans, cars and quad bikes had been "tearing up" the land at Carr Green. 

The club said: "We’ve recently invested thousands into the grass to prepare for the coming season, so this is very much a soul destroying situation for everyone."

A fundraising page has been set up to help them pay for the cost of the damage. 

It says: "As a not-for-profit organisation we have limited resources to repair the damage, but we know that everyone in the community will come together to help us recover."

Andrew Pitts, Calderdale Council's Assistant Director - Neighbourhoods, said: “Rastrick Junior Football Club is taking its own independent action to ensure the unauthorised traveller encampment leaves the football pitches.

"We are providing support and advice to the club. We will clean up the site and will do our best to ensure it is secured so the club’s community activities can continue.”

Inspector Ben Doughty of the Calder Valley Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “We are aware of a number of incidents that took place over the weekend that have been reported to us and we have recorded a number of criminal offences.

“We appreciate that the playing fields are a valued community facility and we are working with the club and council to resolve the situation.”