TRAVELLERS that set up camp in a city centre car park have now left, say the local authority.

Carlisle City Carlisle confirmed yesterday (Thursday) morning that the group had vacated Castle Car Park, next to Bitts Park.

Their arrival, last weekend, had provoked strong reactions among readers and the council warned they will take action if they failed to move on.

The camp consisted of about nine caravans together with associated vehicles.

Earlier this week, a council spokeswoman said: “We are aware that a small encampment has set up in Castle car park.

"Our officers have undertaken a welfare check and will serve notice.

"This will encourage the vehicles to move on within the next 24 hours.

"If they do not move on, we will take further action through the courts.”

In May last year residents were angry after a traveller camp was set up on Carlisle park next to a housing estate.

About nine campers vans and caravans, with a large number of associated cars and vans have set up on the park at Low Moor Avenue, off Durdar Road, Blackwell.

At the time about four police attended and spoke to the travellers

One resident, who did not want to be named said: "They arrived yesterday, there was a lot of them and they were driving around the park, they were very noisy and the police came."

Readers voiced a range of views after their arrival in Castle Car Park.

Leslie Little said: "It's a pay and display car park, the traffic wardens should go and check they've paid."

Dale Clapperton said: "It's a car park, not a caravan park, the sign points out the obvious."

Jinty Wilson said: "I would get a parking ticket."

Julie Harding posted: "Move them on, it is a much needed pay and display car park."

David Smith said: "I wish Allerdale Borough Council would act like Carlisle City Council, our lot are hopeless."

Lena Mcallister said: "The council has caused this problem by recently closing the one and only transit site that was in Carlisle. These people have nowhere to stay."

Nigel Scratch said: "Leave them be, they don't stay for long anyway and it keeps a tradition alive. I'd rather councils put the time into fixing our roads we pay for."

Jake Carney posted: "Leave them be they're parked down the bottom where nobody parks anyway."