A GROUP of travellers pitched up on a Hereford common sparking concern football matches planned for the venue would have to be cancelled.

A group of adults and children in three caravans descended on Widemarsh Common off Grandstand Road last Thursday evening.

They left 24 hours later but not before Herefordshire Football Association (HFA) bosses had warned the weekend's junior matches scheduled to take place on the common would have to be cancelled should the travellers failed to have moved.

However, shortly after a 'welfare check' by Herefordshire Council the group left the area.

"All the matches were played on Widemarsh Common as planned over the weekend," said HFA chief executive Jim Lambert.

"There were contingencies in place though. If they were still there the Lads Club were going to pull their junior games as the little ones play right where the caravans were.

"But we had a call about 10pm on Friday to say they had disappeared."

Mr Lambert said it was the first time to his knowledge that the land had been used by travellers.

A Herefordshire Council spokesperson confirmed officers carried out a 'welfare check' on the group which included both adults and children.

She said that despite their departure on Friday, council officers were told the travellers planned to stay on the common until early this week.