Angry motorists faced parking chaos today after a group of travellers moved on to one of Bradford's busiest car parks.

About 25 caravans moved on to two car parks in George Street in the city centre yesterday afternoon.

They arrived in vans and cars and even brought horses on to car parks, which are usually packed with hundreds of vehicles.

A leading councillor was forced to warn motorists to try to avoid the area as attempts to move the travellers on were swiftly put into action by Council officers.

It is believed that there are two separate groups, one which had been at the site of the former Transperience discovery park and one at another site in the city.

Attempts to move the travellers yesterday failed because Bradford Council's three official "camps" are full.

Councillor Latif Darr, chairman of the Transportation, Planning and Design committee, which is responsible for car parks, said: "I have appealed for motorists to look for an alternative and park elsewhere.

"Many people will not park near the travellers for fear of damage to their cars," he said.

Coun Jack Womersley, deputy chairman of the committee, said a liaison officer was due to speak to the travellers today.

He said: "Hopefully they will move on. All our official sites are full and there is a waiting list. There is nowhere in Bradford for them to camp legally.

"The problem is that surrounding local authorities do not supply these official sites. Bradford Council has done everything possible to try to accommodate travellers in the area."

One driver, Robin Crowther, 40, of Odsal, said: "It's a cause of concern. There's very limited parking space in Bradford as it is."

One woman, who asked not to be named, said: "I normally park where the caravans are, but I've moved. I bet they haven't bought a ticket. They should be asked to move on."

Another motorist said: "What about them breaking into cars? There's been a spate of break-ins up here and this could make it worse."

A 40-year-old Bradford woman, who parked near the caravans, said: "It's a worry. I don't think for a second that they are paying."

There have been a number of illegal traveller encampments in Bradford for at least three months as they move from site to site around the city.

The Council was forced to obtain a court order to move about 30 caravans from Knowles Lane recreation ground in Holme Wood in August.

Bosses at Trans-Hire in Tong Street reported they were left with a £40,000 damage bill in September after they also had to go to court to evict travellers.

And Ogden Property, which owns the Transperience site, has said it has spent thousands of pounds in court costs and repair and clean-up bills after gipsies have occupied its land.

There have also been illegal encampments off Canal Road, Bradford, near Thornbury roundabout, off Thornton Road, Bradford, and off Legrams Lane, Bradford.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.