TRAVELLERS broke through a security gate to set up camp on a popular beauty and wildlife spot over the weekend.

Around nine caravans moved on to the Cutacre Country Park car park overnight Friday and Saturday.

They have been served with bailiff notices and are in the process of being 'evicted' today.

And measures to deter travellers from moving on to the site in future are being stepped up.

A spokesman for the Harworth Group, which manages the country park, said: "A small number of travellers broke through a security gate to gain access to the Cutacre Country Park over the weekend.

"Bailiff notices were immediately issued and we are in the process of moving the travellers off site this morning (Monday)."

He added: "Clearly the Country Park is a key community asset so we'll be stepping up security measures on site over forthcoming weeks to prevent this occurring again."

A spokesman for the local residents association said that travellers had deterred people from visiting the park ­— a haven for wildlife­— over the weekend.

He said: "Over the past few months we have had 30 times the number of people than we normally have visiting the park.

"Some had only visited it for the first time, it is magnificent to have this park on our doorstep. It was only opened two years ago and there is still some work to do but it is a beautiful park.

"Hares have returned to the park, deer, foxes and owls have been spotted on the park."

He added: "So many people have volunteered to help clean-up the site after the travellers leave, which is brilliant, but I think corporate cleaners will have to be brought in because of what may be left behind."