More than 20 caravans have accessed land beside Hunslet St Mary's C of E school, which is also home to the area's annual gala.

Leeds council are seeking court action after complaints from residents about damage caused by the caravans and horses.
Four years ago St Mary's children suffered major disruption to school life after travellers accessed an adjacent field used for PE.

The area was left unusable for nine months after a scrapheap of empty gas canisters, car parts, tyres, fridges, nappies and other waste was left behind.

Head teacher Mark Ford said that there had so far been a "peaceful co-existance" between travellers and parents but the situation was being monitored.

Mr Ford said: "There have been no problems so far and schoolchildren have been chatting quite happily through the fence to the traveller children.

"These things can take more than 10 days to resolve but we have been told that the travellers have come to attend a funeral on Friday and will be gone soon after. We will just have to wait and see."

Local residents are angry at the disruption which began with the first caravans arriving on the field on Monday.

Roy Birch, chairman of Hunslet Tenants' Association, said: "I had people knocking at my door as soon as they realised.

"It's not just the disturbance that is caused while they are here that people worry about, it is the mess and problems left behind.

"Only last week I was on that site with the estate manager and commented how well it was looking.

"The council needs to make sure that when they move the site is properly secured so people here don't suffer it again."

Just two weeks ago the field hosted the annual Hunslet Community Gala.

Steve Thompson, chairman of Hunslet Festival Committee and chairman of governors at St Mary's C of E, said: "At the moment we are not worried about it affecting next year's gala as long as the travellers are moved on soon.

"The last time they were here a field was out of use for nine months so it could become a problem if things drag on."