A large group of travellers has taken up residence at the former Three Counties Hotel in Belmont Road, Hereford.

The hotel, currently closed and earmarked for demolition and replacement by a new Lidl discount supermarket, is currently boarded off from the road, apparently as a security measure.

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Nonetheless it appears that over the weekend of June 15-16, a group of travellers with around eight caravans were able to access and occupy the site, stationing caravans to the rear and in its courtyard.

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At the end of last month a smaller group of travellers, with around five caravans, occupied Halo Leisure’s car park off the A49 Holmer Road to the north of the city, then public open space at The Pastures off Hoarwithy Road to the south.

The disused Three Counties Hotel is now protected by a substantial wooden fence The disused Three Counties Hotel is now protected by a substantial wooden fence (Image: LDRS)

It is not clear whether these are now among the larger group at the Three Counties.

Police officers, or police community support officers, appeared to attend the hotel site this morning (June 17).

But a West Mercia Police spokesperson said: "Illegal encampments are dealt with by the local council in the first instance.

"Officers only attend to support enforcement of eviction notices."

Herefordshire Council and Lidl have also been approached for comment.