Traveller camp land cordoned off in County Durham

Bollards have been placed around land in County Durham to stop people camping after complaints from residents.

Travellers, on their way to the Appleby Horse Fair, stopped at the land in Startforth earlier in the month, prompting the complaints.

Police worked with the council and community groups to set up the cordon.

The Appleby Horse Fair has drawn travellers to Cumbria since 1685.

Sgt Chris Knox of Barnard Castle police said: "We had 50 anti-social behaviour incidents and over 50% of those were in relation to travellers and horses."

He said many of these were in the camp at Startforth.

The land on which the camp was set up was in front of several homes.

Mr Knox said: "The camping in this area was very visual as this is the gateway to Teesdale and there was disruption to the highway as the parking was very close to the road."

He said there appeared to be little "adult control" on the camp.