A local leisure centre carpark had some surprise visitors this week who have now, according to the staff, moved on. 

Reports came in on Sunday April 7 that a number of caravans had appeared in the new car park of the Rivermead Leisure Centre complex. 

The caravans are believed to have been occupied by a travelling community who evidently decided on the parking area as a perfect base.

Around four mobile homes then set up camp for a number days before the health centre called in forces to have them swiftly removed.

Reading Chronicle:

Staff at Rivermead Leisure said that the travellers appearance had been a surprise to everyone, and they first weren't sure of what to do to ask them to move on.

The leisure centre is used everyday by hundreds of gymgoers, swimmers, and exercise class attendees that need to use the car park, so the caravans were making things a little difficult. 

Staff reported that the group of travellers were only in the vicinity for a number of days before they decided to call bailiff removers in to ask them to move on. 

Member of Staff Michele said that the staff would not have been able to remove them themselves so thought that this was the best way forward. 

"It was the only way to push them to move on really," she said. "They were only here for a few days."

Staff at Rivermead said that the travellers have now moved on to Tilehurst, but this isn't confirmed.