TRAVELLERS have been ordered to leave after repeatedly starting a fire.

Cheshire Police have issued a section 77 notice to Travellers set up on land off Leicester Street in Northwich.

The group of six vehicles arrived in the early hours of Monday morning and have been given until 5pm today (June 18) to vacate.

A Cheshire Police spokesperson said: “At 1.41am on Monday (June 17) police were made aware of an unauthorised encampment on grassed land off Leicester Street, Northwich.

“Officers attended the site and found there were two caravans present along with four other vehicles.

“A section 77 notice has since been issued requiring the Travellers to leave the site by 5pm today.

“Officers will continue to pay passing attention to the site.”

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to the site twice on Monday evening.

It follows reports from a member of the public that the Travellers had started a 'massive fire'.

One engine from the Northwich station attended shortly after 6.30pm, with crews extinguish a 'large bonfire measuring some four square metres' before dampening the area down.

A crew from the Northwich station was then called again at 10pm, with the bonfire relit and now 'out of control'.

A CFRS spokesperson said: “Firefighters returned to a large bonfire that had been relit and was out of control.

“They put out the fire using a hose reel jet and repeated their earlier advice not to relight the bonfire.”

Cheshire West and Chester Council has been contacted for further information.