Heartlands playground closes due to traveller site

Travellers have moved onto the lawn at the Heartlands visitor attraction

A visitor attraction has closed its children's playground due to the "distinctly unpleasant" behaviour of a group of travellers.

Heartlands in Cornwall said the playground was closed "in the interests of our visitors' safety and wellbeing".

The multi-million pound attraction, which features mining history and a large adventure playground, hoped the matter would be resolved within days.

Cornwall Council said there were no traveller "transit sites" available.

Sean O'Neill, chief operating officer at Heartlands, said 14 caravans and some 20 to 25 vehicles had arrived on the lawn of the site on Tuesday afternoon.

He said: "There was a sizeable group of young people who were from the travellers' group who were being distinctly unpleasant towards other people using the playground."

Mr O'Neill said the travellers had been polite when speaking with Heartlands staff.

Geoff Brown, Cornwall Council member with responsibility for gypsies and travellers, said the group would be given "directions to leave".