TRAVELLERS have sparked an alert to police after setting up an illegal camp in Port Glasgow.

Around ten caravans appeared overnight on a football pitch at Parklea, churning up the ground as unlawful access was gained to the site. 

Port councillor David Wilson hit out at the situation and demanded the immediate removal of the travellers after receiving a flurry of complaints from local people.

The former depute provost of Inverclyde told the Telegraph: "I would think they do not have permission to camp here.

"We don't have an official or unofficial camp site for travellers. Some councils do but we don't.

"My priority is for the people who live in my ward, some of whom have alerted me to this situation and have made it clear to me that they think it is unsatisfactory.

"This is a park for recreation, it is not a caravan park."

Councillor Wilson added: "I understand they have been been here since the weekend. This older grass pitch is locally called Port Chop Hill

"These are community facilities for the people of Port Glasgow.

"In the past there has been human waste, garden waste, building waste and dog dirt.

"This pitch is used by kids."

Councillor Wilson is demanding that the travellers are moved on immediately.

He said: "I have asked officers if they have been in touch with the sheriff court for an eviction order."

Councillor Wilson is also unhappy at the mess made by churning up the grass at the side of the new pitches to access the park.

He said: "After that happened I understand the access gates were opened.

"Inverclyde Leisure and Inverclyde Council are being criticised by my constituents for not blocking the gap between the artificial pitches and the railway line."

A spokesman for Inverclyde Council said: "We are aware and we have been in contact with the travellers in line with our normal process and in support of the wider Scottish policy on travellers: Gypsy/Travellers - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)"

A spokesman for Inverclyde Leisure said: "We are aware that several caravans have illegally appeared at Parklea.

"We have notified Police Scotland and Inverclyde Council are aware of the current situation."