A group of travellers who set up at the park and ride site in Weymouth are to be issued an order to leave.

The encampment was reported to the police shortly before 4pm yesterday, Tuesday, June 6 at the Weymouth Park and Ride at Mount Pleasant, just off Mercery Road.

Around a dozen caravans were seen mostly in the leftmost corner as you enter the park and ride, largely around the outside edge. Some caravans had clothes out on a line to dry and the sound of a generator could be heard.

The council cannot remove travellers immediately from its land and must follow a set procedure to obtain the necessary authority from the courts.

The police will be issuing the order to leave today. The travellers will be instructed to depart the park and ride by 10.30am tomorrow morning.

A transit site at Piddlehinton has been offered as an alternative.

A spokesperson for Dorset Council said: "The Gypsy and Traveller Liaison team have worked with Dorset Police to ascertain whether the encampment warrants the use of the Police's Section 62 powers.

"Dorset Police are issuing Section 62 today and the travellers will be obliged to either move to the transit site at Piddlehinton or out of the county. 24hr security, portaloos and a skip are being organised today at the Piddlehinton site.

"The travellers will be instructed to leave the park and ride by 10.30 tomorrow morning."