THE leader of a large family of travellers has called for more legal pitches to be made available after a group forced their way onto a rugby pitch.

Frank Loveridge arrived at the Colchester Rugby Club grounds, in Mill Road, at around 8pm on Sunday.

He said he and his family, including his mother, nephews and nieces, decided to stay at the site as they have “nowhere else to go”.

He said: “My old man was coming over here 60 years ago, I am 40 odd now, we have always been in Essex. It is our home.

“There is one permanent pitch and it just isn’t enough.

“We do landscaping work, we have had regular customers here for 30 years, this is where we call home, it is where we work.

“Until more pitches are provided, this will keep happening.

“We have to go somewhere.”

He added: “We could park up in a concealed wooded area and people wouldn’t be happy about it.”

Gerard Oxford, Colchester councillor for Highwoods, said he was “extremely disappointed” the travellers had managed to gain access.

Sports clubs and schools also use the rugby club’s grounds and councillors confirmed events planned for today were likely to have been cancelled.

Last year travellers gained access to the club grounds, which are owned by Colchester Council, and it led to the council picking up an estimated £3,000 clean-up bill.

“Last night I emailed Chief Inspector Shaun Kane, the traveller unit and the leader of the council,” said Mr Oxford.

“I have urged the chief inspector to use Section 61 powers to move them on.

“They possibly gained access through the gate, however, I did think there was a concrete post there which is lockable, put there to prevent a further incursion.

“It’s not good, there is usually a clean-up that has to be done afterwards not to mention the potential for matches and events to be cancelled while it is sorted out.

“I am extremely disappointed this has happened again.”

Fellow Colchester councillor Martin Goss said further provision of traveller sites should be looked at, but added many campsites are available to paying customers.

A council spokesman said: “We are liaising with the police regarding the encampment and they have visited the site.”