An illegal camp set up by travellers on a city centre car park has grown three-fold as Bradford Council prepares to evict them.

The travellers, who have been accused of "cocking a snook" at the law, set up a camp in Simes Street car park on August 11 and moved over the road to another car park in St Thomas's Road eight days later after the Council obtained a Court repossession order.

The Council returned to court for a second time to claim its car park at St Thomas's Road. But the defiant travellers simply moved to nearby Tyson Street pay and display car park on August 26. Since then the Council has been going through the legal procedures for a third repossession application which was being heard at Bradford County Court today.

But in the meantime ten other caravans have joined the four who originally moved from St Thomas's Road. Six lorries and transit vans are also occupying the car park off Drewton Road.

A West Yorkshire Trading Standards officer today also advised the public not to buy three-piece suites which were reported as being offered for sale on the car park.

A spokesman said some furniture which sold by travellers from other West Yorkshire sites had been found to be flammable.

Trading Standards divisional manager Graham Hebblethwaite said: "We strongly advise people not to buy furniture from doorsteps and car parks. Who would you be able to complain to if there were problems after the purchase and you cannot get in touch with them? We would strongly urge people to think about the consequences."

Traveller Mary Sheridan said they intended to move off the car park because it was covered with needles which drug takers had left. "Our children are at risk because of it but we want to stay in Bradford because they are at school here. We have nowhere to go because there is a long waiting list to get onto the Council's official sites."

Jeff Frankel, of Bradford Retail Action group, said: "This is a typically slow response by the local authority department which deals with this. Why is it one law for some people and not for others? I have been told that motorists that overstay on the car parks are getting tickets but these people are living there and getting away scot-free."

A Council spokesman said: "We were informed about the travellers at Tyson Street car park on August 27 since then we have dealt with the situation in the usual manner, following all necessary legal procedures.

"Council officers are continuing to monitor the situation and any complaints received with regard to unauthorised trading would be referred to Trading Standards."