TRAVELLERS who have set up an illegal camp at Poundbury will be evicted if they fail to move on soon.

Groups have set up unauthorised camps on Duchy of Cornwall land in two areas on the western edge of Poundbury near Monkeys Jump roundabout.

Police were first alerted to reports of travellers with at least half a dozen caravans who set up on land off Middle Farm Way on Sunday afternoon. Another group are on land opposite, off Peverell Avenue West.

A spokesman for Dorset County Council said: "The land is owned by the Duchy of Cornwall.

"If they haven't moved on in the next few days they will be handed a common law eviction."

Duchy of Cornwall estate director for Dorchester, Simon Conibear, said: "We are currently liaising with the traveller correspondent about them moving on from the sites."

Councils and the police in Dorset have signed up to a joint protocol which is intended to ensure a corporate and agreed response to unauthorised traveller encampments.

Each case of unauthorised camping is dealt with according to the situation that arises and the needs of all concerned including residents in the settled community, tourists, business partners and travellers.

Dorset councils are now working together to prepare a Dorset-wide Gypsy and Traveller Joint Development Plan Document to allocate permanent and transit sites.

A temporary site is now in use at Piddlehinton.

Speaking earlier, Margaret Morrissey, vice-chairman of the Poundbury Residents Association, said: "I am hoping in the next few hours they will be moving on.

"We are thinking, and hoping, they are passing through on their way back from the Dorset Steam Fair.

"Where they are stopped is not, health and safety wise, a safe site for them to be – usually there are a number of children there too."

She added: "There are many sites they can stay in and around Dorchester.

"Stopping on someone else's property is trespassing."

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: "It is the landowner's responsibility to take action on unauthorised encampments.

"Police can only take action if there are involved in any crime-related activity."