THOUSANDS of pounds have been raised to repair damage done to a rugby club in Alcester after travellers moved onto the grounds.

Committee member and Under 9s coach David Marriott-Woods at Alcester Rugby Football Club said windows were smashed, chairs were broken and a large amount of waste was left behind - including human and dog faeces.

Caravans set up camp at the sports club off Birmingham Road in Kings Coughton late last month, and were eventually moved on a week later after a notice was issued by police.

Mr Marriott-Woods said it was "heartbreaking" to see the damage caused to the club and the mess left behind.

He said: "There was enough litter to fill a large skip. Windows were all smashed, the barbecue was broken. Furniture was thrown all over the pitches.

"It was a disgusting situation and it was quite heartbreaking to see.

"Because of the amount of faeces we found, we have had to leave the club for over a week to fallow. We had to cancel several events.

"The heartbreaking thing is we'd just been able to get the kids out in the field, to having to close down through no fault of our own."

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Warwickshire Police confirmed they issued a notice to travellers camped on the land to leave the site. A spokesperson said: "The notice, under section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act, was issued after damage was caused to land and property."

After the travellers were moved on, the rugby club coordinated a plan to clean up the pitches and called on the Alcester community to help out. The club asked residents to bring shovels, jet wash equipment, litter pickers, wheel barrows to remove waste last week.

As well as this, a fundraiser was launched to help the club with the cost of cleaning and repair work. A GoFundMe page has raised well over £5,000 for the club.

Members of the Alcester community reacting to the clean up on social media said: "Some people have no respect - fortunately the community of alcester has respect in abundance, thank you to everyone who helped with the clear up, everyone appreciates it so much."

Another said: "Well done to all involved, Alcester has a wonderful community spirit and that is evident here."

Alcester Rugby Football Club and Mr Marriott-Woods thanked members of the community for their efforts.

Mr Marriott-Woods added: "The club will be holding a family fun day to thank the community for all the hard work that they have done to get the club back into a nice state."

A spokesperson for Warwickshire Police added: "We can confirm the force received several reports linked to the traveller encampment and positive action will be taken if we identify offenders. We have been offering advice to landowners to secure their land."