POLICE acted quickly after complaints from residents that travellers had moved on to land in Dorcan.

Last night, two caravans and two trucks remained at the Dorcan Way site.

But after visits from the police and council officials, they have agreed to move on by the weekend, said PC Nigel Davies.

Former Dorcan councillor Pete Brown was responsible for putting in place more than £75,000 worth of barriers and other deterrents to travellers.

But it seems these latest travellers found a gap in the defences earlier this week.

Mr Brown, who was ousted from the council in 2003, insists the number of illegal camps has decreased dramatically in recent years.

"Before I was elected travellers always used to set up camp in Dorcan," he said.

"These measures have been effective but they'll always find a way."

Mr Brown added: "The £75,000 bill may be expensive but you need to weigh that up against the cost of cleaning up ."

In March, council leader Mike Bawden (Con, Old Town and Lawns) admitted that people in Swindon were growing increasingly frustrated with travellers' behaviour.

"I have very little sympathy for the traveller way of life," he said. "There is a frustration about travellers who turn up, cause damage and then move on.

"It's the local community that has to pick up the cost of the clean-up."

Also in March, travellers camped in a Dorcan car park sparked fury when they said council tax payers should do more to help them.

"We are getting no help," said one of the travellers, mother-of-four Kathleen McDonagh.

Kevin Shoesmith