A group of travellers who set up camp on the site of Bradford's Richard Dunn Sports Centre are in the process of being evicted.

Caravans can be seen in the car park as well as washing lines and a garden chair.

Bradford Council has started its legal process but suggested the travellers are likely to move on "in the next day or two".

It comes just two days ahead of Appleby Horse Fair, an annual gathering of Gypsies and Travellers in the town of Appleby-in-Westmorland in Cumbria.

The travellers are reportedly on their way to this popular yearly event.

The council recently replaced concrete blocks preventing access to the area with metal posts.

The iconic site will have "protective measures reinstated" soon, according to a council spokesperson. 

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Picture shows travellers in the Richard Dunn Sports Centre car park.Picture shows travellers in the Richard Dunn Sports Centre car park.

A Bradford Council spokesperson said: “We understand that the group are making their way to Appleby Horse Fair, which is on June 9. We have started the legal process to evict them from the site, but expect them to move on in the next day or two, anyway.

“Once they have left, the site will be cleaned and protective measures reinstated.”

The newly-classified Grade II listed building, named after the Bradford-born boxer who was famed for fighting Muhammad Ali, was due to be knocked down at the end of last year.

But it was recently saved by Historic England, which granted the building listed status.

The Twentieth Century Society, campaigners for the preservation of historically interesting buildings, had previously submitted an application to save it.