Travellers'group returns to woodland

The small convoy of seven caravans was driven into the Millennium Wood during last Saturday evening.

It is the third time in four years that the area has been the subject of an illegal camp. The last occasion was in 2005 after the landowner, the Woodland Trust, spent thousands of pounds installing concrete bollards and digging trenches around the site's perimeter to stop the summer occupations.

The charity is going to court today to gain possession of the land to enable it to evict the travellers.

An Arun District Council spokeswoman said: 'One of our environmental health officers was out on site on Tuesday and spoke to the travellers. There are seven caravans and they have indicated that they will be leaving on Saturday.

'Advice has been given about noise and keeping dogs under control. They are bagging their rubbish and we are looking to see if we can collect it from the layby near the road.'