ACTION is being taken to remove travellers from two council-owned sites in Taunton.

Several vans and caravans have been moved onto the former cattle market site at Firepool and a grassed area in Cleeve Road, in Priorswood.

The travellers at Priorswood have already been served a notice to remove themselves.

Taunton Deane Borough Council leader Cllr John Williams said: "That notice is due to expire imminently, so they will either vacate the site or we will proceed with action through the courts."

Another group of travellers got onto the Firepool site overnight by driving across the bridge off Priory Bridge Road and onto the car park area after cutting padlocks on the gates, according to Mr Williams.

He added: "They then removed panels to get back up to the Firepool site, avoiding the secutiry barriers on the car park areas by the auction house and further down.".

Mr Williams said: "Our asset management team is liaising with the police to serve the first notices to start the process of eviction.

"We'll progress it to ensure they are removed and will follow due process.

"It's being dealt with as a matter of emergency."

*THIS is Taunton's former cattle market this morning (Friday).

It appears that a group of several travellers has moved onto the site with a number of caravans and vans.

A Taunton Deane Borough Council source is looking into the incident and said there are reports of travellers parked on a grassed area in the Priorswood area.

We'll keep you updated as we get any more information.