An under sevens Hawkwell football team has lost its home pitch - because it has been invaded by travellers.
Hawkwell Athletic's ground behind Hockley Community Centre on the Betts Farm Estate was overrun by caravans and trailers last week.
Mike Pruden, secretary for the club, said: "The kids are very disappointed, as we run our training and play our matches there.
"We have had to move on to another ground until the problem is sorted out." The travellers have also caused a host of other problems in the area, according to Mr Pruden.
He said: "The woods near the field, which back on to Hockley Primary School, has been used as a toilet by the travellers and there is excrement all over the place. There are dogs running all around the area and the place is a real mess."
Mike Jones, headmaster at Hockley Primary School, said: "There have been no complaints inside school hours about travellers using the woods as a toilet."
Because the community centre leases the land from the council it is their responsibility to get the travellers evicted from the premises.
Published Monday October 21, 2002
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