TRAVELLERS camped illegally in a park have got until today to move on before they are summonsed to appear in court.

Seven caravans have been parked in Springfield Park, Darlington, since the beginning of the week.

Residents and park users have complained of anti-social behaviour from the travellers' children and human faeces on the football field.

A notice served by Darlington Borough Council advising the caravan dwellers to move on expires today.

A council spokesman said: "The sites have been visited and a direction notice has been given to quit by today.

"If they have not gone we will go back to check on them on Sunday and then we will go to the magistrates' court to get a summons."

One resident of Wylam Avenue in Springfield was furious after his children were scared off from using play equipment in the park by travellers' children.

He said: "They have no right to be in this park. This land is where our children play and they are threatening them.

"When my three and five-year-old went to play on the swings they were swearing at them. There was human faeces on the football field where the young ones play. It is disgusting. They seem to want to turn Darlington into the travellers' capital of the UK and it is a disgrace."

Another group of travellers near the town's Red Hall estate has already received a summons to appear before magistrates on September 23.

Earlier this week, borough councillor Ian Haszeldine accused police of failing to use their powers to evict unwelcome visitors.

He said travellers had been organising cock fights and defecating in bushes on a site at Allington Way and John Dixon Lane.

Inspector Brian Maudling, of Darlington police, said instances of anti-social behaviour would be taken seriously.

He said: "We are carrying out extra patrols in these areas to show that there is a police presence and to reassure the public that we are aware of the problems.

"If people witness specific offences, then we will take action. They will be dealt with the same way as any other crime, but we need the public to support us by providing statements.

"We will go and speak to these people, but we need hard evidence to prosecute."