This is the current state of Penwortham holme after a group of travellers moved onto the site last week.

The group of caravans departed during Tuesday (5 September) as the field turned into a quagmire with heavy rain.

South Ribble Borough Council confirmed the group had moved, before legal proceedings were due to begin to begin enforcement.

A spokeswoman confirmed the council is due to inspect the damage and state of the sports pitches during Wednesday to decide whether sports fixtures can resume on the site.

Read more: Chorley demand compensation if Cuerden goes ahead

A video posted to Facebook by Paul Fletcher showed waste dumped on the fields, bin bags in mounds and tyre tracks across the grass.

Saturday’s opening day football fixtures were cancelled due to the traveller encampment.