TRAVELLERS have sparked fury by invading a children's play area in Hampshire.

Angry parents say their youngsters have been unable to use the King George V playing field at Totton since the travellers set up camp on Wednesday night.

About a dozen vehicles are parked next to the swings and roundabouts at the popular play area opposite St Anne's Church in Calmore Road.

Yesterday, as caravans continued to arrive, Totton and Eling Town Council was granted leave to attend Southamp-ton County Court and seek a possession order on the site.

But the hearing will not take place until Wednesday, and the judge is likely to give the travellers 24 hours to move out.

The delay has angered the council, which wants local authorities to be given greater powers to tackle people who occupy public land.

Town clerk Derek Biggs said: "We've been lobbying the government for two years, but councils still haven't been given an effective method of dealing with the problem."

A Calmore mother, who asked not to be named, said: "The travellers moved into a private paddock about two weeks ago and now they've spread to the children's play area next door.

"I've got three children who love to go down there most days after school. They like to play football, ride their bikes and have picnics with their friends, but now they can't because it's been taken over by the travellers.

"Occupying a play area is a despicable thing to do and all the mums are absolutely horrified at what's happened.

"It's the only place where our kids can play safely. There's a facility on the Calmore estate, but you have to cross two main roads to get there."

Another Calmore resident said: "Parents daren't let their children go to the recreation ground.

"I'm a childminder and I can't go there with the kids I look after, even though there's nowhere else for local youngsters to play."