RESIDENTS are calling for action to stop travellers making camp on school playing fields.

Up to 50 caravans have been parked on fields next to Belmont School, near Durham City, for almost two weeks.

Durham County Council is taking legal steps to evict the travellers from the site.

Residents recently carried out a clean-up of the fields, collecting more than 50 bags of rubbish left during a previous encampment, and say the travellers have dumped more rubbish on the land.

Resident John Everett said: "Someone has estimated that upwards of 50 tonnes of rubbish is there, including huge piles of concrete, tarmac, bricks, soil and old wood.

"Personally, it is devastating because we put in so much effort in clearing it up only for the travellers to come back so quickly."

A public meeting has called for the travellers to be evicted as soon as possible.

Mr Everett said residents wanted a "proper clear-up operation, not a token effort", and measures to stop travellers using the land again.

A Durham County Council spokeswoman said: "Once the travellers have moved on, then the land will be tidied up."