TRAVELLERS have set up camp at a crematorium in Atherton.

Caravans and associated vehicles moved onto Howe Bridge Crematorium on Lovers Lane on Tuesday.

They are on the crematorium's car park, which is owned by Wigan Council.

Steps have been taken to remove the travellers from the site.

Leigh MP Jo Platt said: “It shows a real lack of sensitivity and respect for this current group of travellers to make a new camp at Howe Bridge Crematorium.

“People should be able to grieve and reflect on lost loved ones without the distraction of families camped on the car park.

“I have contacted Wigan Council and was relieved to find that a notice to leave would be served yesterday with a likely removal today.

“I would like to thank the council for their swift actions.

“The site will also be cleared to prevent further encampments.

“Unauthorised encampments are an unnecessary expense on already stretched public funding.

“I will be asking the Government what powers and resources they can put into the local authority to tackle this issue and develop more appropriate sites that could be used without causing the distress that this latest episode has undoubtedly caused.”

Atherleigh Cllr Pamela Stewart MBE said the encampment was reported by Cllr Karen Aldred at 4.30pm on Tuesday.

Cllr Stewart added yesterday: “It is not appropriate that the travellers are at the crematorium and I am making sure it is being dealt with.

“I am very surprised that travellers, who are known to respect death so much, would do this.

“It is disgusting they have decided to go there and it is very distressing for people who are attending funerals.

“Travellers have had a set of rules of respect in the past about where they set up camp but that seems to have gone out of the window at the moment.”

A post on Greater Manchester Police’s Leigh, Atherton and Hindley Facebook page said yesterday morning: “We are aware of the travelling community that have moved onto the crematorium at Howe Bridge and are monitoring the situation.

“Enquiries are being made to trace the land owner of the property, whose responsibility it will be to gain a notification to leave, which can then be enforced.”