THERE is still no end in sight to the long-running saga of travellers who set up base next to a Southampton school.

The group began the encampment on a field near St Mark's Junior School in Shirley more than two weeks ago.

Frustrated residents and parents of pupils had called for them to be moved as swiftly as possible as games lessons on the field had to be cancelled.

But bosses at the Civil Service Sports Council refused to say when an eviction order would be served against the travellers.

A spokesman for the sports council would only reveal that conversations were ongoing with the relevant legal authorities and that the situation would be resolved.

As reported in the Daily Echo last week, the organisation said it had been holding discussions with Southampton City Council over who was responsible for launching legal action as the school had a license agreement to use part of the land.

But civic leaders insisted they were powerless to do anything as they did not own the land.

John Denham, Southampton Itchen MP, also spoke of his disappointment at the situation not being resolved more quickly.

Ward councillor Brian Parnell has now called on sports council officials to "get their fingers out" and get the travellers moved on.

The travellers were previously based at Southampton Common before being instructed to leave after the City Council, which owns the land, obtained a court order.

Councillor Parnell said: "They (the sports council) are responsible for the land so it is their responsibility to get the court order.

"We did it from the common and did it quickly. I think what we want from them is to get their fingers out and get on and do it."

A Southampton City Council spokesman said: "We hope that the Civil Service Sports Council will be taking the action needed to ensure that this can be resolved as soon as possible."