A NEW group of travellers has moved on to a village green just days after a costly clean-up following an earlier occupation.

The green and children's play area at Clyst St Mary near Exeter were professionally decontaminated at a cost to taxpayers of around £1,500.

Plans were in hand to improve security around the green.

But before they could be started a new group of travellers arrived at the site.

A skip had been placed near the entrance as a temporary measure but it is understood the travellers gained access via a steel gate.

The Echo revealed how an earlier group of travellers occupied the picturesque spot for more than three weeks.

It led to police being called to watch over a school play in the village hall.

Yesterday around a dozen new caravans were parked on the same site.

One resident, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals, said: "We are absolutely furious here. It seems these people waited until the parish council paid to clean up the green — which was done really well — and have now returned when it is just right for them.

"We warned the parish council that it would happen and now it has.

"It looks like they are here to stay and we expect more to arrive now the news is out in their community about what a great place it is to stay.

"They have new vehicles and top-of-the-range caravans and yet there is still human waste left in the open on the green."

Joan Howe, who runs the village store said: "It is dreadful that they have returned and the mood of the village is very down.

"It is a worry for everyone and it is a shame that the playing field cannot be used by village children with the start of the holidays."

Katie Hill, manager of the village's only pub, The Half Moon, said: "I have to say that the last time the travellers were here they were all polite and friendly, except for two younger men who caused a bit of a problem."

Tony Rule, who lives close to the site, said: "They did leave a lot of mess last time that had to be cleaned up and one of them ripped the wing mirror off my car — but then some of them came back and paid for the damage saying they didn't like that sort of behaviour.

"I think the police have been very good at keeping the peace without being too heavily involved."

Another resident near the scene said: "It looks like they just waltzed through the gate. They act as if it is their property.

"I saw one parent coming back with two small children in floods of tears. I don't know if they had been shouted at or were just upset at not being able to use the green, but they were certainly distressed by it. We all are."

Following the previous three-week visit by travellers the parish council had decided to erect a Devon bank at the entrance in a bid to prevent further incursions.

It was hoped work would start sometime this week.

Mike Norman, the parish councillor who had led the campaign to oust the first group of travellers, said : "This is a real blow.

"I have just heard that the police have been up there and have been told that the travellers will leave today — but we have heard that before.

"We are holding a council meeting to decide what to do next but we have to give three clear days' notice so the earliest we can hold it will be Tuesday.

"We will then see if we have to employ a security firm or bailiffs to removed the travellers.

"The police sent their own diversity officer up there last night to discuss the welfare of the travellers with them — yet they do not seem to want to get involved in moving them. It is a crazy world."

He added that work on the Devon bank, which was to have started tomorrow might have to be postponed if the travellers were still on site.

One of the travellers, whose children were playing basketball in the play area, told the Echo they had moved on to the site because they had nowhere else to go.

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall police said: "We received a call from a member of the public that travellers had arrived at the same site as before.

"We are aware of their presence but unless there is anti-social behaviour or a breach of the peace it is a matter for the council."