TRAVELLERS camped in a Wordsley park were this afternoon (Thursday) preparing to leave.

A court hearing took place earlier today and Dudley Council was granted an injunction to move the group off King George V Park.

But according to onlookers at the scene the travellers were packing up and making their way towards the park exit off Lawnswood Road just before 4pm.

Wordsley councillor Paul Brothwood said he has been the site all day in a bid to bring about a resolution to the situation which has left the community on edge and he told the News: “It’s been a long day – but I’m stopping here until every single caravan has gone.”

However, he said concerns have already been expressed about where the travellers may set up camp next.

The travellers moved onto the site last Friday (September 16) – just moments after caravans moved off playing field in Withymoor, near Sainsbury’s Amblecote.

Wordsley councillor Kerry Lewis said since the arrival of the group she has been bombarded with calls from anxious parents whose youngsters attend nearby Belle Vue Primary School - where a fence was reportedly cut.

Headteacher David Porter took the step of locking the main school car park to prevent access to the site off Lawnswood Road and parents and visitors were this week being asked to temporarily use an alternative entrance.

Dudley Council is set to host a Place Scrutiny Committee from 6pm tonight (Thursday) outlining the law relating to unauthorised traveller camps and the powers available to the council and police in dealing with them.

The meeting is public and any residents concerned about illegal traveller camps can attend.

Meanwhile - a meeting will be taking place at Sainsbury’s Amblecote at 11am on Saturday to discuss the recent illegal camps at Withymoor and develop ideas on how they can be prevented and the area secured.