Bosses at a primary school in Weston-super-Mare have been forced to increase security after a group of travellers set up camp on their playing fields.

Teachers at Herons' Moor Academy also had to lock one of the school's main entrances this morning after the encampment arrived on Wednesday (June 5) evening.

Leaders at the school posted a message and a picture on their Facebook group showing several caravans and cars - just weeks after a similar situation occurred.

A group set up camp at the same location on May 13 before being swiftly moved on by the council and police, according to Somerset Live.

The Facebook post reads: "Thank you for the messages regarding the travellers re-entering the school playing field again this evening (June 5).

"We are working with The Campus, North Somerset Council and other agencies and will review the situation in the morning.

"Additional security patrols have been arranged overnight to reduce the risk of further unauthorised entry to school property.

"Access to school in the morning will be by the carpark gate and Bransby Way entrances - the gate from the playing field footpath will remain locked."

A group has also been spotted near to Hutton Moor Leisure Centre.

A spokesman for North Somerset Council confirmed that housing officers would be visiting both locations shortly.

Court

Several traveller groups have appeared at locations around North Somerset in recent weeks, including Weston-super-Mare, Portishead and Clevedon.

Their arrival has been met by a mixed response, with some arguing they should be left alone and others calling for their swift removal.

The council reportedly spends significant sums on removing illegal traveller encampments each year.

As well as officer time and the cost of applying to the court for an order to evict the groups, there is also the financial hit of cleaning up sites.

It recently appeared in court over a group in Clevedon.