THE smell was ripe under the summer sun, but Herefordshire Nature Trust could breathe a sigh of relief.

Travellers who turned one of the trust's reserves into a tip had gone. A county court order that got them and their vehicles off the Lugg Meadows did not extend to the mess left behind.

Rubble, concrete, clothes, household and human waste met the clean-up team that went in once the last of the travellers left.

It was trust money that saw them off. And trust money that clears up after them.

Trust reserves manager Neville Hart said the travellers chose the 'worst possible' place to debase.

These ancient hay meadows on the eastern edge of the city are 'environmentally fragile' and support a range of scarce plants said Mr Hart.

The hay is cut in June or July, after which commoners exercise their rights to graze the meadow with livestock, a tradition dating back centuries.

Travellers set up camp on the meadows with caravans, lorries and other vehicles. They left only after the county court approved a possession order to evict them last week.

"Not only have vehicles damaged (the site) but a trail of litter and rubble has also been left behind. It has cost the trust a lot of money and time trying to evict these travellers through the county court and it will cost even more to replace locks and remove rubbish."

The Environment Agency didn't appreciate the mess either. It was, said spokesperson Andrew Osbaldiston a 'flagrant breach' of flytipping law, made worse by the Agency's awareness of bogus companies in the county removing waste and dumping it on private land.

"Customers should be on their guard (against) this type of operation - especially where jobs are being (done) on the cheap," said Mr Osbaldiston.

On the cheap can cost. Agency policy is to prosecute where there is evidence of individuals or companies flytipping.

Mr Hart says private vehicles are not allowed on the meadows at any time. The trust was grateful to all those living nearby concerned enough about the travellers to keep members informed.

Peter Baines, of Herefordshire Travellers Support Group, said the situation at Lugg Meadows reflected the hostility 'outside' travellers met on the county's roadsides.

"Herefordshire Council inherited a site for 'outside' travellers at Madley, but closed it. With no alternative where are these people supposed to go?"

l The Environment Agency has an 0800 807060 24-hour a day, seven day a week Freephone 'hotline' for flytipping or other environmental crime.