Police were forced to use their powers to remove travellers in Highworth after town was blighted by anti-social behaviour.

Around 30 vehicles camped out at Highworth Town Juniors FC from last Tuesday until the weekend, when they finally moved on.

The leisure centre and pubs were forced to close their doors and a mum told the Adver she had been verbally abused.

Highworth Town Council warned people not to use the water troughs at the Old Golf Course site because they were contaminated with human excrement.

After liaising with the landowner and attempts to communicate with the people trespassing on the site, Wiltshire Police used their powers under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act to direct people and vehicles to leave the area.

This was enforced on Saturday morning with every member of the group leaving the site, abandoning one derelict caravan.

A number of items of waste and rubbish have also been left behind, and Swindon Borough Council officers have raised this as an urgent request to be assessed and removed today.

The travellers have now arrived at the Coln House School playing fields in Fairford.

A sign placed near the Lower Rec site reads: "Do not use this area. The rubbish has been cleared however the human waste remains.

"The Environmental Team at Swindon Borough Council is required to assess the area."

Pubs and the Highworth leisure centre nearby closed due to safety concerns.

Insp Dave Whitby said: “We do not use the powers available to us unless it is proportionate and necessary to do so.

“On this occasion, despite attempts at engagement by our neighbourhood teams in conjunction with colleagues from Swindon Borough Council, we had seen an increase in anti-social behaviour and minor criminality linked to the people trespassing on the football pitches.

“We will continue to work with Swindon Borough Council to ensure the welfare of persons within any nomadic group are considered but we will also take action when criminal offences are committed.”