French travellers to spend week in Shrewsbury

French travellers who have moved on to a town centre car park in Shrewsbury intend to stay until the weekend, they said today.

More than a dozen caravans moved on to the Abbey Foregate car park over the weekend.

Council chiefs have taken steps to move the group on, serving them with an eviction notice yesterday.

One of the travellers, who asked not to be named, said the group was originally from Lille and was travelling around the UK.

He added: "We actually didn't decide to come here but thought it was a nice town when we came through and decided to stay until Saturday." He said there were about 20 people in the group.

A spokesman for Shropshire Council said: "They have not been invited on to the site. We have served the eviction notice and if they have not vacated the site this week, we will instruct our legal team to apply for possession through the courts."