Football pitch caravan camp shifts to racecourse

A group of people in several caravans who had parked on a football club's pitch have moved their camp to a field next to a racecourse.

About 12 to 15 vehicles left Redcar Athletic's fields on Thursday morning after being served a court order by the local authority and moved just one mile (1.6km) away.

The group, who are from Ireland and confirmed they were in the area on holiday, travelled the short distance to a field at the foot of Redcar Racecourse, close to the Primary Care Hospital.

A spokesperson for Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council said the authority owned the land and the group had been given another notice to leave by 18:00 BST on Friday.

Redcar Athletic president Kevin Fryatt said it had been "a very challenging few days" while the caravans were parked on the club's pitches and he was disappointed to have cancelled activities.

He said: "We are now busy assessing the facilities and ensuring that it is safe for activities to return to the site.

"We do know that damage has occurred but we can't comment on specific damage until we have had the opportunity to take a proper look."

The council spokesperson said: "The group have moved and are now occupying land just off Lorton Road, adjacent to the starting point at Redcar Racecourse.

"The land is owned by the council and is deemed to be an unacceptable location."

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