A FAMILY of travellers have been accused of depriving children of a play area after moving their caravans on to a community field.

The Loveridge family’s five caravans arrived at the playing field next to St John’s Close, Colchester, at about 7.30pm on Monday.

Angry neighbours say with the school Easter holidays just beginning, it is the worst possible time for the family to take over the field.

St John’s Residents’ Association member Robert Dunston, of Woodview Close, which backs on to the field said: “On Monday there were three groups of local families playing football and cricket and flying kites from about 9am.

“Now there’s no one there. It couldn’t have happened at a worse time.

“We heard dogs barking right up until midnight on Monday.”

Another resident of Woodview Close, who did not wish to be named, said: “It’s a playing field. Children should be able to use it.

“I wouldn’t let my grandchildren on the field now.”

Police went to the field on Monday evening and again yesterday and handed black bags to the travellers in an effort to minimise any mess.

One of the Loveridge family, who did not want to be named, said the ten adults and 11 children living in the caravans were being unfairly condemned.

She explained: “We kept the last place, up near Severalls Hospital in Colchester, clean and tidy.

“It’s just us here. We’re all one family.

“You get different types of travellers. We’re not all the same, in the same way all the people who live in houses are not the same.”

Paul Smith, Colchester Councillor responsible for resources and diversity, has visited the council-owned site and echoed the residents’ concerns.

He said: “I’ve spoken to residents who feel intimidated from using the field and are being prevented from doing that.

“There are dogs running wild on the site and it’s deplorable children are not able to use the play area.”

A police spokesman said: “We had a number of calls about their presence, but there appear to be no offences for us to deal with.”

A Colchester Council spokes-man said: “We have informed the travellers they are trespassing on council-owned land.

“The council yesterday applied to the court for a possession hearing, which we expect to take place within a week, to begin proceedings to reclaim the land.”