Travellers will be moved on from Cheslyn Hay school car park before pupils return

Four caravans and a number of vans and cars arrived at Cheslyn Hay Sport and Community High School's car park in Saredon Road on Wednesday night.

Police officers have been down to the site to speak to the travellers. The county council has also been involved.

Staffordshire County Council's cabinet member for communities Mike Lawrence said today: "We are aware that travellers have moved on to the coach park of Cheslyn Hay High School and the issue has been reported to the police.

"We would like to reassure parents that we will do everything possible to ensure that schooling is not disrupted when pupils return from the half term break next week.

"If the travellers do not move on once the police have spoken to them, we will apply for a court order to remove them."

Staffordshire Police spokeswoman Jane Hoult said officers spoke to the travellers yesterday, as well as the landowner.

Walsall is currently being plagued by a string of illegal traveller camps

Last month travellers who set up an illegal camp in Brownhills were moved on ahead of a formal court order.

A convoy of caravans settled in Silver Court Gardens and a notice to remove them from the site was being sought at Walsall Magistrates Court. But they moved on before any court action had to be taken.

Recent figures show travellers have cost Walsall Council over £30,000 after 60 illegal camps were set up in a year.

Just days earlier a group of travellers set up an illegal camp at a university recreation ground.

Seven caravans settled at Aston University's Outdoor Recreation Centre on the border of Walsall and Great Barr after forcing their way through two locked gates.

They set up camp on one of the six grass pitches at the site in Birmingham Road.

In August a dozen caravans illegally set up camp at playing fields in Heather Close, Brereton, Rugeley.