A POPULAR paddling pool has been closed after travellers from a nearby encampment used it to clean themselves, according to the council. 

The paddling pool at Fleming Park in Eastleigh is now shut and won't reopen until the encampment on a nearby field has left.

A total of 35 caravans and 40 vehicles descended on the site behind Places Leisure yesterday evening. 

READ MORE: Travellers set up camp with more than 30 caravans near Places Leisure in Eastleigh

Now, council officers have spoken to the travellers to request that they leave. 

In a statement on its website, Eastleigh Borough Council said: "Unfortunately members of the encampment have accessed the paddling pool and have been using the water features to wash etc.

"So we have now taken the decision to close the paddling pool with immediate effect. The paddling pool will now need to be drained and will not be refilled until the encampment has moved on.

"The council will now follow its normal procedure for dealing with unauthorised encampments."

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