LEGAL action has been taken to remove a group of travellers who set up an unauthorised camp in Southampton.

Active Nation has taken action against the group that set up its camp in Green Park, Millbrook, just weeks after Southampton City Council threatened to take action against travellers in the same area.

The land is leased from the city council to Active Nation and it is mainly used for football activities.

Matt Wale, business manager for Active Nation in Southampton, said: “We took a swift action with the support of the city council and the police. There’s no disruption so far to the activities. We’ll secure and the council will secure the ground as best as we can but they tend to find a way in.”

As reported by the Daily Echo, groups appeared at different locations and across Eastleigh and Southampton, including Riverside Park, forcing a primary school to cancel its sports day as a result.

City councillor Lee Whitbread told the Daily Echo he saw caravans in Green Park on his way to work on Tuesday and alerted the council.

He said: “The legal notice has now been served by Active Nation but should the group fail to observe that notice then Active Nation would have to go to court. We hope they will observe the notice and leave quite quickly.”