ANGRY residents have today blasted a group of travellers who have set up home in Weymouth.

The band are now on a piece of land near the Top Club in Louviers Road, Littlemoor, after they stayed on the Marsh playing fields over the weekend.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, who have regularly dealt with travellers over recent years, say they have visited the travellers and plan to work with Dorset County Council in an effort to move them on.

Concerned Littlemoor residents said the group arrived on the estate on Sunday afternoon after leaving the Marsh.

They want the local authorities to act quickly and claim they are a danger because the land is used by children on the estate as a play area.

Neil Robbins, of Louviers Road, said: "They shouldn't be here because that area is where children play. Hopefully they will be moved on as soon as possible."

Michael Reading, who lives in Castlemaine Road, said: "The police have visited them but they are powerless to do anything. They've got a bit of a cheek staying where they are and I'm a bit worried they could cause damage because I live nearby."

Homeowners near the Marsh were relieved the group had left the playing fields, which are due to host a youth football tournament this weekend.

Richard Smith, of Knightsdale Road, said: "They seemed to move pretty quickly when the council told them they were on land which belonged to them. I'm not sure if they caused any damage but I'm glad they went."

Richard Burgess, the council's environmental services director, said: "We are not aware of the travellers causing any damage and the council will be investigating the matter today.

"We visited them when they were at the Marsh and informed them they were on council property and since then they've moved to Littlemoor."