TWO large groups of travellers have finally left Guiseley - and steps are already being taken to stop further 'invasions'.

The itinerants who had set up camp at Harry Ramsden's and the old Silver Cross site, in Back Lane, started to depart last Wednesday evening and had all gone by the following evening.

Both convoys left town after having eviction orders served on them which had been secured by the fish and chip shop restaurant and property agents Allsops, representing the Silver Cross site's owners.

Councillor Graham Latty (Cons, Aireborough) said he, like many in the town, was relieved the place was 'back to normal'.

"I received a lot of calls from worried residents while they were here, so it is good they have finally gone," he said.

"They left quite a bit of rubbish but it wasn't as bad as had been feared."

Guiseley has never had a traveller problem in living memory until this year, when the unexpected visitors' arrival caused widespread unease in the community.

Several residents contacted the Wharfedale and Airedale Observer to complain about everything from late night noise to fears about the impact on property prices in the area.

Meanwhile, the general manager at Guiseley's Harry Ramsden's, Alan Underwood, claimed travellers' dogs had tried to attack people and that his staff had been verbally abused.

Allsops, which says the sale of the former Silver Cross factory site is 'imminent', has already taken strong measures to try and secure the site - by installing one and a half tonne blocks of concrete to form a barricade across the car park entrance.