Travellers threaten to move onto Lytham Green during festival

A group of travellers have threatened to move their families and pets onto Lytham Green during the town's festival which starts tonight.
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Council officials and police were told that if the travellers were evicted from the nearby YMCA-owned William Pickles sportsground they would move across the road onto the green where the festival.The Green is due to host a performance by 90s pop stars STEPS on Wednesday.

This was revealed at Blackpool Magistrates Court todaywhere Fylde Borough Council acting on behalf of the YMCA made an emergency application to have the 15 men, 12 women and their 22 children moved off the sportsfield.

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The travellers have been using eight caravans,eight cars and two trailers which are also on site.

Travellers on YMCA playing fields on Seafield Road, LythamTravellers on YMCA playing fields on Seafield Road, Lytham
Travellers on YMCA playing fields on Seafield Road, Lytham

Successfully applying for the order, Fylde Council lawyer Anita Elliott said: ”The travellers arrived last Thursday.The legal process asking them to leave started on Friday but they are still there.

“There is a build up of rubbish and there is human waste and dog waste on the football pitches.”

“Children have been unable to use to pitches for training and maintenance work has not been carried out.”

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She said that police to restrain one traveller when they first visited the site.

Since then, another had been arrested for allegedly racially abusing a police officer and a window in the sports pavilion had been smashed.”

She added:”They have threatened to go onto Lytham Green.”

“They have no washing or toilet facilities and there is a fire risk in an area which has already seen a grass fire.”

The order granted today means that vehicles on the designated area can be towed off and travellers evicted.