Preston Travellers evicted from Ashton Park move onto Moor Park days before it hosts RockPrest 2022

In a moonlight flit late last night, the Travellers left Ashton Park – where they had camped since Sunday (June 26) – and travelled in convoy 1.5 miles down Blackpool Road to Moor Park.

The move came after Preston City Council gave the group their marching orders after serving them with an eviction notice earlier this week.

The group have moved across town to Moor Park which has its Green Flag inspection today. The prestigious Green Flag Award is a scheme that recognises and rewards well managed parks and green spaces in the UK and around the world.

Moor Park was a Green Flag Award Winner last year in recognition for all the hard work by park rangers, gardeners, staff, volunteers and the Friends of Moor Park group who help keep it looking its best all year round.

The city council said the arrival of Travellers on Moor Park “shouldn’t have a detrimental effect on the outcome of today’s inspection”.

A Preston City Council spokesperson said: “A family from the travelling community have been passing through Preston and stopped on Ashton Park.

"They have now re-located to Moor Park today (Thursday, June 30). As is our duty of care, welfare checks were carried out and eviction proceedings are being progressed.

“We are liaising with the family to ensure their egress from the park takes place as soon as possible.”

Meanwhile in Ashton Park, a clean-up operation took place to remove rubbish and other waste, whilst the Council’s legal team redirects its efforts to the new encampment in Moor Park.

The Council will be eager to remove the Travellers from the park before the city’s RockPrest Festival 2022 gets under way this weekend (July 2/3).

Organisers say this year’s music festival – now in its seventh year - will be ‘bigger than ever’. It is the UK’s biggest tribute festival and will take over Moor Park with 30 live acts on two stages over Saturday and Sunday.

As well as two stages for performances, there will be a VIP area, food stalls, beer tents, market stalls, thrill rides and children’s attractions.

Gates will open on both days at 11am and close at 10pm.

You can find more details on this year’s RockPrest 2022 here.