Travellers set up camp at former hotel

Caravans could be seen through fencing at the former Three Counties Hotel, Hereford

A large group of travellers has taken up residence at a former hotel in Hereford.

The Three Counties Hotel in Belmont Road, currently closed and earmarked for demolition and replacement with a new Lidl discount supermarket, is boarded off from the road.

A group of travellers with about eight caravans was apparently able to access and occupy the site at the weekend, putting caravans to the rear of the site and in its courtyard.

Police said illegal encampments were dealt with by the local council in the first instance - Herefordshire Council and Lidl were approached for a response.

Police officers or police community support officers appeared to attend the hotel site on Monday.

But a spokesperson for the West Mercia force said their officers "only attend to support enforcement of eviction notices".

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.