TRAVELLERS who have set up camp on Eastleigh's playing fields have refused to quit the site.

Hampshire County Council served notice on the trespassers shortly after they arrived on the Stoneham Lane pitch.

Their caravans and trucks were today showing no signs of moving.

Now the authorities must wait for a hearing date on an application made to the court.

A spokesman for the council said: "The county council served notice on the travellers a week after they set up site on Stoneham Lane.

"The travellers failed to abide by the official notice. We have made an application to the court and we are awaiting a court date."

Eastleigh was last year a favourite for travellers who made life a misery for residents during their summer invasion.

Rookwood and Crestwood Schools' playing fields were both targeted by the mob who left litter and destruction in their wake. Ward councillor Chris Thomas said Eastleigh council could not be involved in the most recent problem because Stoneham Lane is county council property.

He said if residents refused to give them cash in hand for doing jobs like Tarmacing, tree surgery and litter disposal they would go of their own accord.

He said: "While people continue to give them work they will stay.''