Travellers broke into a football pitch by tearing metal barriers and concrete bollards down.

The group set up camp at Everett Rover FC’s grounds in Leggatts Green, Watford, on Wednesday night.

Hertsmere Borough Council say they are the same group who originally moved into Little Bushey Lane last week.

A spokesman for the council said: "Environmental health officers were granted a removal order requiring travellers to leave the site at Little Bushey Lane by St Albans Magistrates Court today.

"The travellers have left the site and had moved to another location in Watford before the order was enforced.”

Police have been called and say the landowner is responsible for moving them on.

Taylor Wimpey who is the landowner, leases the land to Everett Rovers FC.

A Taylor Wimpey spokesperson said: "We are aware that a group of travellers have unlawfully accessed and are currently occupying land off North Western Avenue in Watford.

"As landowner, we are taking action to ensure the travellers are moved on as soon as possible."

Meanwhile, the ladies football tournament, due to be held this weekend, may have to be cancelled.

Labour Councillor Asif Khan said the fields have been broken into by travellers four or five times in the last three years.

Last time, hordes of rubbish was left in the area.

Labour leader Councillor Nigel Bell criticised Watford Borough Council for not doing more to deter travellers.

“We should have known they were coming,” he said. “Travellers were spotted in Hertsmere and we had groups that were in Thomas Sawyer Way a while ago.

“The council should have prepared.”

Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor said: "The current encampment is on private land and although it is the owner who has to take action, we and our partners are supporting them in every way possible.

"To say we have been unprepared is completely wrong.

"The current encampment is on private land and although it is the owner who has to take action, we and our partners are supporting them in every way possible."

"We have been through the process of thoroughly checking the security of all our open spaces around the town.

"Some of the groups have broken in to areas using force.

"As Cllr Bell has been a Watford councillor for many years now he should well know what the regulations are for managing illegal encampments and our duty to operate within the law.

"We act as fast as legally possible to remove unauthorised encampments.

"We have an excellent record in working with the police and Veolia to deal with these situations quickly and effectively.

"This year we have resolved three illegal encampments – one within 24 hours and the others within a few days.”

In a statement, Hertfordshire Constabulary said: “Police were called at 9.47pm yesterday (Wednesday) to reports of travellers moving onto Leggatts Green, Watford.

“Officers are liaising and support the land owners who are responsible for their removal.

“We have visited the site and are continuing to monitor the situation.”