A traveller site set up on private land may cost the owner thousands of pounds to get rid of.

The camp was set up in a field on London Road on April 13 after travellers were moved on from a spot in London Colney.

Farmer James Surridge was made aware of the settlement when a neighbour called him while he was on holiday in Cornwall.

He said: “It completely ruined my holiday. We have been told that we cannot bolt the gate as if we violate their human rights we face a fine.

“My crops of hay in that field have had to be written off. The compaction to the ground is unbelievable; it is more like a concrete runway now.

"They want a more permanent home but until they are given one it feels like I am bearing the brunt of all of this."

St Albans District Council said that they offered Mr Surridge legal advice to reclaim his field, but that he declined to take it and because the field is private land they have no jurisdiction over it.

Mr Surridge added: "This field will have to be ploughed off and started again. I may not be able to get anything from it this year.

"This will end up costing me thousands in legal fees and however much to get rid of the rubbish, as well as the lost earnings from the field.

Inspector Adam Such, from the St Albans Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “We are aware that travellers have been moving around the London Colney area in recent weeks and in response to this many of the affected landowners have taken legal action to remove them from their land.

“Police continue to work closely with and support the local district council and we are continuing to monitor the situation.

“As part of on-going work we are seeking advice from Hertfordshire County Council’s traveller liaison department with the aim of achieving a long term solution for the traveller community.

“Officers will continue to monitor the situation and will deal with any criminal allegations accordingly.”

HCC spokesperson said: “We are aware of the unofficial encampment off of London Road. It is private land. We are assisting the landowner with this issue.”

St Albans District Council were also contacted for comment.