MEETINGS are set to take place soon in an effort to save the village of Lockerley from future invasions by travellers.

The group finally left on Sunday after spending 13 days on Critchells Green, leaving behind a collection of unwanted fridge freezers, mattresses, settees, hedge trimmings and other rubbish.

But, after they had departed, residents were full of praise for the support provided to the village by Romsey police.

Parish council chairman, Len Arthur, said: "Our very grateful thanks go to Inspector Bernadette Smith and her team who dealt with this in an effective and professional manner.

"They are a credit to their profession and I hope the people from the Romsey area realise just how lucky they are to have such a professional and caring team.

"The communication from Inspector Smith, even on her days off, shows her commitment, not only to Romsey, but to the whole of her area. I cannot praise her and her team enough."

He said Test Valley Borough Council had not been so helpful, but commented: "Hopefully, our borough councillor, Neville Whiteley, can arrange a meeting between the police, Test Valley Borough Council and Lockerley Parish Council and try to find a way forward."

Mr Arthur explained that, as in the last three years, the travellers had been given a letter on behalf of the owner saying they did not have his permission to stay and must leave.

He had read that letter to the travellers in the presence of the police on Wednesday evening.

Inspector Smith also expressed her enthusiasm for a meeting aimed at avoiding problems in the future.

She said in a statement: "The situation with the travellers at Lockerley arose again this year and has reached a new level in terms of the rubbish left and environmental concerns.

She said police received 16 calls of concern or complaint from the public during the first nine days of the travellers' stay, but added: "The reports were not sufficient for us to gain support for the use or our limited police powers for eviction."

Insp Smith said she had spoken with Mr Arthur sevral times a day during the traveller's occupation to review the situation.

"On Friday, the travellers were informed by police that evidence for eviction would be constantly explored and monitored, due to the impact that their stay was having on the Lockerley and surrounding communities.

"Happily, the encampment moved on during Sunday, but the group made it perfectly clear to me that they liked the site and had every intention of returning each year.

"As I have said before, we need to work together on this to try to find a way forward to prevent the encampment in the first place. Landowners have a very important part to play here by securing their land to prevent illegal incursion. I am hopeful that a meeting being arranged will find some way forward for this."

The big clean-up was under way on Monday when a skip was provided by the landowner's father, who was helping villagers to remove rubbish.