LOCAL people are furious with a group of travellers who they claim left human excrement near a school.

Eight families set up camp in their caravans in The Drive, in Nythe, near Dorcan Technology College, a week ago.

The English Romany gipsies moved on this weekend leaving behind piles of cardboard, fence panels, car mats, a child's car seat and a blanket.

Swindon Council collected 23 bin bags full of rubbish yesterday.

"This just will not do," said a mum-of-two from Nythe, who did not want to be identified. "There have left behind lots of rubbish and have churned up the grass with their vehicles.

"I can't believe they have been so untidy. Their actions are completely thoughtless and very selfish."

Another resident, who did not want to be named, said: "There were four council workers out there at the expense of the public cleaning their mess up.

"This group moved from Liden and left a mess there and they have left a mess here and it is us that's picking up the bill.

"It is disgusting the waste there. There is human waste, the brook is full of it, and there was a woman down there trying to clean it up."

Another man, 34, who said he was outraged, added: "They say they are not animals and have rights.

"Well, to defecate in the bushes is not human. I can't believe this has happened.

"We as residents are furious and they should be made to clear up the mess they left."

The travellers have been causing quite a stir while staying in the town.

They were verbally abused by two Dorcan pupils, who were later excluded for their bad behaviour.

A caravan window was also smashed by a yob.

One of the travellers, a 28-year-old mum-of-three from Middlesex, said the treatment she had received was appalling.

She said eggs had been thrown at their cars and stones chucked at their caravans near the walk-through used by Dorcan pupils.

No complaints have been logged by the council's Environmental Health department.