Travellers have set up camp at a town centre car park in Reading, as the council continues to search for a permanent site.

Reading Borough Council (RBC) has brought proceedings to evict the travellers from the Cattle Market car park on Great Knollys Street.

There are around 16 caravans plus other vehicles at the council-owned car park in Reading.

The group has been at the site for six days after arriving on Halloween (October 31).

Cattle Market car park was brought back under council management in October after more than 11 years under National Car Parks (NCP).

A spokesman for Reading Borough Council said: "There are 16 caravans plus associated vehicles.

"Officers have visited the site and completed their initial assessments and the legal process has begun for removing this encampment.

The spokesman added: "The Council will undertake a further review of its land holdings and other opportunities this autumn or winter in order to review potential sites and continues to raise the unmet need with adjoining councils under the duty to co-operate agenda.”

From 2017-2018 the Council spent £104,000 on defending its most vulnerable sites.

This year, £28,800 has been spent so far on protection works at several council-owned sites that have been repeatedly encamped including Portman Road, Walnut Way, Pottery Road, Bran Close, Coronation Square and Burford Court.

The council are currently looking for a dedicated home for travellers.

RBC previously considered land at Richfield Avenue, where a secondary school is now expected to be built instead.

At last month’s full council meeting, Conservative councillor Sandra Vickers suggested land at the old Smallmead Stadium, which has been vacant for 10 years.