A caravan was burnt to the ground after being left in a park by travellers who stayed at the site illegally for more than six weeks.

Travellers set up at John Rabson Recreation Ground on June 10 and were there until late July.

They left behind a caravan, which was then set alight within hours of being abandoned.

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Two weeks later, the burnt out caravan remains are still at the park, with the council aiming to clear the mess by the end of this week.

A Reading Borough Council (RBC) spokesman said: “This caravan was left behind following the recent illegal traveller incursion at Rabson Recreation Ground.

“Our officers immediately ensured the caravan was cleared of any potentially hazardous material, including fuel cans and gas bottles, and began making arrangements for its removal.

“Unfortunately, the empty caravan was set alight that night, within hours of being abandoned.

“Due to the size of the burnt-out caravan and the waste material alongside it, we have had to arrange for a large ‘grab’ lorry to move everything. The aim is to clear it before the end of this week.

“We are currently looking at options for additional security measures at this site to try and prevent further incursions.”

Resident Rupert Wilson expressed his irritation at the situation in a tweet to the council.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/ashleypearce84?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ashleypearce84</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RachelEden?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RachelEden</a> pretty disappointed to find the burned out remains of a caravan on Rabsons Rec this evening. Once again the good folk of Whitley and <a href="https://twitter.com/ReadingCouncil?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ReadingCouncil</a> have to suffer the consequences and costs of clearing up after people who don't care <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/rdguk?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#rdguk</a> <a href="https://t.co/UO7QWTamZI">pic.twitter.com/UO7QWTamZI</a></p>— Rupert Wilson (@SmartRGW) <a href="https://twitter.com/SmartRGW/status/1425170061615054849?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) visited the park at 5.30pm on Thursday evening (August 12), finding the charred caravan remains, including a microwave, wheels and a tub of Flora, were still there.

Since the encampment left John Rabson Recreation Ground, another encampment has been set up at Palmer Park, with the council currently trying to evict them.

READ MORE: Travellers remain at park after being serviced legal notices to leave

The illegal traveller encampment has been issued with legal notices to leave the land and the council is awaiting a date from the courts in order to progress the eviction.