A GROUP of travellers who have caused problems for the police and local councils in Melksham and Trowbridge have moved on to Warminster.

They have parked up illegally in the car park of St Denys the Minster Church in Bath Road, Warminster, where church wardens are already concerned about the mess they might leave behind.

Deputy church warden Sheila Pomeroy said the travellers arrived yesterday at the car park, blocking its use for weddings, christenings and funerals, as well as other events.

Mrs Pomeroy said: “The car park is owned by the Diocese of Salisbury and the police have been informed.

“It’s a nightmare. We are not going to be able to use the car park until they leave. It’s just as well we have no weddings or funerals booked.”

It is not known how long the travellers plan to stay but Wiltshire Police paid them a visit yesterday evening.

The travellers moved to Warminster after being issued with an enforcement notice by Wiltshire Council to leave the Stallard Recreation Ground in Trowbridge by 10am on Wednesday.

One resident said later: “They’re in Warminster now at the Minster Church car park in Bath Road. It won't be nice when they leave.

“You only have to visit Stallard park near the train station. Dumped waste, garden furniture, human excrement in bushes etc. I saw it for myself earlier today.”

Last week, the travellers were parked up illegally at the Bowerhill playing fields before moving on to the Bath Road car park next to King George V playing field.

At Bowerhill, they left behind a van-load of waste and human excrement was found near the hedgerow.

They were issued with enforcement notices to leave both sites before turning up in Trowbridge overnight on Sunday/Monday and being moved on by Wednesday.