Aberdeen residents have been urged to stop giving travellers work as two large encampments pitched up within half a mile of each other.
More than 35 caravans and vehicles are parked at football pitches off Seaton Crescent, while another group has set up a short distance away at a cricket pitch between the golf driving range and the Linx Ice Arena.
It is understood that the field is used for youngsters’ football training in the Easter holidays – leaving the planned sessions in jeopardy.
Sport Aberdeen, which controls all activities on public pitches, was not available for comment.
The first encampment moved after the travellers were evicted from Nigg Bay on Friday, leaving mounds of rubbish, including human waste and building materials, behind.
Yesterday local councillor Jean Morrison said the “saga will continue” if people keep giving the groups employment.
“A lot of the travellers are running businesses and because Aberdeen is the way it is, the economy is booming. People have money to spend – and they are getting offered deals,” she said.
“As long as we keep giving them employment then this saga will continue.”
Finance convener Willie Young said the council would only be able to fully address the issue if it was given the power to introduce a bylaw to ban unauthorised camps.