ELDENE residents planted 1,500 trees at the weekend in the first stage of a project to deter travellers from camping at Elmore Park.

Around 100 residents turned out to plant trees in a two-acre area, supervised by Great Western Community Forest.

Charity director Dave Evans said: "Obviously people are interested in this space because of the concerns they have raised about travellers."

Saplings and wild flower seeds were planted in existing woodland with the help of the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers.

The £14,000 scheme is intended to soften the appearance of concrete bollards, which are to be put in place to stop travellers' caravans getting onto the land. Among those lending a hand on Saturday were John and Edna Sainsbury, both 69, who have lived in Eldene for 32 years.

John said: "I think this is great and it will be valuable for the younger generation.

"I must admit I've never walked around here before today.

"Hopefully this wood will be something my grandchildren can enjoy."

A group of about 30 young footballers from the Eldene Colts under-12 and under-13 teams also pitched in.

In recent years travellers have camped on open space in Dorcan and Eldene on dozens of occasions, leading Swindon Council to install a number of deterrents.

These include a low wall between Dorcan Way and the grassland around it, mounds and vegetation on open space between Queens Drive and Marlborough Road and mounds at Greenbridge.

Despite these defences, six travellers' caravans moved on to land outside the Holiday Inn, Dorcan Way, on Wednesday. They gained access via a gate which is used by council maintenance vehicles. The lock on the gate was broken.

Swindon Police said the group were given permission to stay on the land until Friday. They have left and said they were heading for London.