A GROUP of travellers descended on Sainsbury’s car park in Stratton this week.

On Wednesday, disgruntled shoppers complained that a small group of travellers had parked their vans in the car park and were proving something of a nuisance to customers.

And by Thursday lunchtime the gathering had more than doubled in size, to five vans, with one man even washing himself in a basin in full view of customers.

Acknowledging the situation on Wednesday afternoon, a Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “The store is working closely with the authorities to resolve the issue.”

One Sainsbury’s customer was not very pleased.

John Leighton, 68, from Stratton, said: “It’s not what you want to see when you come to do your shopping in the morning. They just seem to think they can park anywhere they like without any consequences.

“You see all the mess that gets left and they just don’t seem to care. Hopefully the police will be around soon to move them on.”

The five mobile homes covered a substantial space, with each taking up a number of parking places. Wash basins and children’s toys were littered about the place and the occupants of the vans thought nothing of carrying out aspects of their morning routine - such as brushing their teeth - in full view of members of the public.

One shopper, who wished to remain nameless, said: “I understand that they have to go somewhere but surely there are better places. This car park is meant for the customers and I don’t think they should be here.”

Police advised bosses at Sainsbury’s of the steps they needed to take to address the situation, and by late afternoon yesterday the travellers had gone.