A LONG-running saga over a travellers’ encampment in Burnley looks set to be resolved after a resident gave birth.

Council bosses had served an eviction notice after a number of caravans and other vehicles turned up on the former Gardners car park, between Venice Street and Hargher Street, which is now owned by the local authority.

But there was a delay of up to four weeks for the eviction as one of the members of the encamp-ment is believed to have been pregnant.

Fresh attempts are now being made by borough council legal officers to restart the eviction pro-ceedings and it is under-stood the site is now close to being vacated.

Borough and county councillor Tony Martin, who represents the Trinity ward for the Burnley authority, is hopeful that the situation should now be resolved.

“There was a woman who was pregnant so we had to hold fire for a while,” said Coun Martin.

“But mother and baby are now doing well and I would expect them to be leaving very shortly.”

The car park, which belonged to the aerospace giant up to its closure in 2011, has been a frequent target for traveller arrivals in recent years.

Extra security measures were also installed at the nearby Hargher Clough recreation ground to prevent similar encroachments.

Town hall development control chiefs are currently debating a number of possible locations for a permanent travellers site for Burnley, as part of the Local Plan consultation exercise.