TRAVELLERS camped on riverside land in Oversley Green will have to move on within the next month.

Residents have been urging town, district and county councillors to get rid of the families who parked their vans and caravans next to the River Arrow since they arrived - but the process has been delayed because of questions over ownership of the land.

But at a meeting of Alcester Town Council last week, Nina Knapman reported the legal process had now begun. It is likely to take two weeks and may take another two weeks to enforce.

Mrs Knapman said: "We are now in the sixth week and it's moving at a snail's pace. It has caused huge consternation and anger among residents."

Town clerk Derrick Ward has been embroiled in discussions with Warwickshire County Council since the travellers moved in.

The county council claimed to have no records of buying the land from the town council when they changed the road layout through Oversley Green.

Mr Ward has now sent copies of various documents to the county council.

Mayor Chris Gough said: "This council is extremely concerned about travellers anywhere in this town and we will do our utmost to get rid of them.

"But we are not the authority to deal with it and the argument that's been used about not being sure of the ownership has been appalling.

"This buck passing isn't good enough. It makes councils look bad when they can't get together and sort these things out."