Travellers could be evicted today after the council obtained a court order.

Steve Nash, town clerk, said yesterday that the process had been started for their removal from land behind houses in Parsonage Barn Lane.

Seven traveller caravans and associated vehicles moved onto the land on Sunday. It was thought they were on their way back from the Great Dorset Steam Fair.

One local resident, who asked not to be named, said neighbours were concerned about noise and possible anti-social behaviour.

Another local said: “I walked my dog through the path across there and they have some lurcher-type dogs on site, but they seem to be tied to kennels.

“The fear is always whether or not any more caravans will turn up and the site grows. But we’ve been told they’re on their way back from the Great Dorset Steam Fair, and they should be moving on soon.”

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