SECURITY has been beefed up at a Worcester park after travellers recently set up camp.

Temporary bollards have been dropped into the entrance of Pitmaston Park, in St John's, to prevent unauthorised access to the field.

There are also plans in place for permanent, retractable bollards to be installed at the entrance to the park later this month.

The move comes after around eight caravans moved onto Pitmaston Park for five days last month, only leaving one minute before the expiry of a police deadline demanding they go.

After they left, Worcestershire County Council was forced to close the park, which is next to Pitmaston primary school, after discovering rubbish including nappies, toilet paper, cans, a gas canister and even sanitary towels.

It was the second time in just over a year that travellers had set up camp on the park.

The work to improve security at the park is being organised by Place Partnership, a land and property management company which brings together public sector organisations including West Mercia Police, Hereford and Worcester Fire Authority, Worcester City Council and Worcestershire County Council.

A spokesman for Place Partnership said: "As previously reported in Worcester News, Pitmaston Park has been subject to a number of traveller incursions recently.

"It has become clear that protective action is required to prevent further incursions in future and Place Partnership, acting on behalf of Worcestershire County Council, has arranged the installation of a number of heavy pre-cast concrete drainage rings as a temporary measure.

"It is intended to install rise and fall bollards at the park entrance during the October half-term school holiday as a more permanent measure.

"These would be locked in place during normal operations.

"Place Partnership has been working with the conservation officer at Worcester City Council throughout."