The group moved to the site from Countess Weir

The 20 caravans moved on to the site at Churston, near Brixham, on Thursday after travelling from the Exeter area.

The travellers said there were no temporary sites for them in Devon so they had to settle where they could.

Torbay Council said it would follow the full legal process to move the group on from the site.

Public opposition

The group moved to south Devon from Countess Weir.

Attempts to set up temporary sites for travellers have been scuppered by public opposition. Last year, Devon County Council had to back down over four proposed legal sites.

Traveller Rebecca Smith, from the group at Churston, said: "I don't know why there are so few sites.

"We don't make a mess, we keep things clean and we take our rubbish with us."

Unitary authority Torbay Council said it would do what it could to move the group on.

Michael Yeo, from the council, said: "These people are trespassing on the site, they gained unauthorised access to it and clearly we do not wish them to be on it.

"We have to follow the full legal process to move them from the site, or persuade them to vacate it."

There is no deadline for the travellers to leave and the council has yet to apply for a court order, which could take up to two weeks.