A TEENAGE mother whose human rights opened the door for a growing band of travellers to remain on a sports arena in Christchurch has left the site and gone to stay with relatives in London.

Travellers used the post-natal plight of Eleanor Berry, 18, to successfully fight an eviction order served by Christchurch council earlier this month when a steel barrier was broken and 11 caravans moved into the amphitheatre behind the town's 2 Riversmeet sports centre.

Bournemouth magistrates ruled moving the travellers on would infringe the young mother's human rights and allowed the encampment to remain until September 1.

But while the number of caravans on the Stony Lane South site has since swelled almost three times to around 30, exasperated council officials have been unable to trace the teenager at the centre of the controversial court ruling.

The court heard that Eleanor Berry, who was not present at the hearing in Bournemouth Magistrates Court earlier this month, had given birth to a son at Poole maternity unit two days earlier.

But council checks showed no one of that name was delivered at that time and repeated attempts by town hall officials to interview the girl have been declined by her family who say she has left the site to stay with relatives in London although her caravan remains on the site.

Meanwhile, complaints have continued to pour in about the mess and antisocial behaviour caused by the travellers who have abused the rubbish skip and portable toilets provided for them by the council.

And their occupation of the arena has forced the Twynham Residents Association to cancel two of its monthly money-spinning car boot sales there.

Residents secretary Ernie Hemsley said: "This has cost us dearly. I hope the magistrate who gave them an extra month appreciates the upset caused to our community with noise and bonfires and mess."

"We local residents have to put up with noise from barking and shouting 'til the early hours. Where are our rights?"

First published: August 23