COUNCIL chiefs barricaded a Totton town centre car park yesterday to halt an invasion of travellers.

Members of the public went rushing into the civic centre to warn staff that caravans were being driven into an adjacent parking area.

Four vehicles were driven into the car park, which is home to the town's Wednesday market.

But Totton and Eling Town Council staff prevented another two from entering the site by blocking the entrances with council vehicles.

After a four-hour stand-off the travellers agreed to leave Totton and head for another site.

Town clerk Derek Biggs said: "They had a lot of children with them and we told them that a busy car park was not a brilliant place for youngsters."

If the travellers return, council staff will go to court next Wednesday and apply for a possession order on the land.