By Mark Donaghy FAMILIES in Howe Bridge are furious after a convoy of around 50 gipsy caravans invaded land next to their homes.

Residents on Leigh Road were shocked when they saw the group of travellers arrive on the site of the old bus depot on Tuesday.

One mother, who did not wish to be named, said: "They were here last year and left a lot of mess afterwards. Nobody is happy about it and we hope they are kicked-off as soon as possible."

The convoy could be the same group who left Bolton College car park last Saturday.

It is believed the site, which used to contain the bus depot's social club and offices, now belongs to a Bolton-based company called Woodford Industries, which bought the site from First Manchester last year. Beazer Homes purchased the area across the road.

Cllr Sue Loudon, who represents the Atherton ward, said she had been contacted by a business on Johnson Street which was worried after suffering problems when the travellers arrived last year.

She had heard many concerned people were also contacting the land owners direct.

She added: "Travellers do tend to worry people who have to live next door to them. It's not just them being there, it's what happens afterwards when they leave a mess.

"The bottom line is they shouldn't be there, if they should, the land would be open and not fenced off."

A spokesman for the developers said the travellers were due to move on Saturday. If they didn't action would be taken through the courts.

Wigan Metro has a site for travellers at Bickershaw.