OUTRAGED residents were shocked to find a group of travellers had moved on to their newly-opened green.

But people living near the Leeman Road Millennium Green acted quickly, and contacted police who moved the group on.

Locals were astonished when the travellers, in a group of about six caravans and cars, moved on to the six-acre site.

Committee members only officially opened the green two weeks ago, transforming a waste ground into a haven for wildlife.

They overcame delays and funding shortages to realise the project, which cost more than £50,000. Committee secretary Mary Rothery said she was horrified when she learned that a group of travellers had parked on the newly-manicured green.

But residents took action, and Mrs Rothery praised the police officers who, she said, acted promptly to remove the group from their land, which attracts deer, voles and hedgehogs.

She said: "We were outraged when we found out. It was not just because of the money. We have spent five years of our life on this project.

"We have created something for the future and we weren't about to have it ruined. The police were brilliant. We never dreamed that they would leave so quickly.

"It is a beautiful site and we are still adding to it all the time. The police treated us with a lot of courtesy and respect and we are delighted."

Linda Capel, of Poplar Street, added: "There were a lot of people concerned. I felt really strongly about it. It is hard to see public space destroyed by travellers."

A North Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said: "We gave out warnings to the travellers to leave by noon on Sunday. They said they were going to go anyway and they did."

Updated: 10:13 Monday, May 26, 2003