MEMBERS of the Ilkley Angling Association must have thought that they had solved the problem of travellers camping on their land for good.

Their construction of a soil barrier or 'bund' to prevent vehicle access to land by the river Wharfe on Denton Road looked to have done the trick. Although pedestrians can still have access to the beauty spot by the river, the large grass banking prevents any kind of vehicle - especially those towing caravans - getting through.

And despite the misgivings about the long-term appearance of the barrier by some of the objectors to the planning application, the bund seems to blend in with the landscape now the grass has had the chance to grow back. It must have been heartbreaking last week for members of the same organisation to discover that the travellers had returned. Not, this time to the Denton side of the river, but to another beauty spot accessible from Coutances Way.

The little known area is next to the Pride Rock Park site formerly occupied by Cara Cars and contains two large ponds, one belonging to the fishing club and one to the council. Members felt that the encroachment by the travelling community was something they could have done without and petitioned Bradford Council, which owns the land, to have them removed.

Although objections to a short stay from travellers moving between horse fairs seem a trifle uncharitable, there are elements of the travelling community who have been known to create problems, causing damage, creating a noise nuisance and leaving litter. It is a shame that many are tarred with the same brush, creating an intolerant attitude among the populations of communities where they fetch up.

Their arrival, instead of being greeted with the patient curiosity about those who choose to live a different lifestyle, elicits howls of dread and their departure huge sighs of relief.