Travellers set up camp in an Irvine car park with council chiefs confirming a visit to the site after complaints from locked-down residents.

The group stopped off in the Buzz Bingo car park behind Trindlemoss Court and Glebe Primary yesterday [Wednesday, March 24] with several residents since contacting North Ayrshire Council and the Times.

The council confirmed a traveller officer had since visited the site with Police Scotland confirming no legal issues after officers were seen present. 

One resident said: "I was taking my children to the school and spoke to some of the parents and we're extremely aggrieved about it to say the least.

"I don't know why they have to go there. There's dubiety over who owns the ground so basically they can do what they want.

"Now I've got a lot of respect for the police, but there's a pandemic on and all these heavy-handed fines, yet we've got travellers sitting in a carpark and they're tiptoeing about that? I find it incredulous. I understand the law but there's people that can't see their loved ones but we've got that."

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “Our Gypsy/Traveller Encampment Officer has spoken to the landowners and has provided them with advice and support.

"He has also been to the site and has spoken to the families and will continue to monitor the situation.”

A spokesperson for Buzz Bingo said: “The Buzz Bingo team have been made aware of the situation and are working with the relevant parties to ensure the group are safely moved on.”