CHILDREN of a group of travellers have been accused of "running riot" after setting up camp on a sports club's football field.
Children of travellers allegedly threw stones at bowlers at Syngenta Sports Club in Huddersfield.
Members were harassed for money as they arrived at the Leeds Road club.
And property was vandalised.
Now club officials are advising members to cancel their bookings until the travellers have left.
One member said: "The kids are running riot.
"They are climbing all over cars in the car park, racing up and down across the bowling green and begging for money.
"All the planters and plant pots have been kicked over and we have had to take down the tennis nets because they were swinging on them."
Club secretary Carl Sykes said about eight caravans moved in on Tuesday afternoon.
He said the travellers told him they would be gone by Friday.
Mr Sykes said it was the first time it had happened and added: "It's an unexpected disruption to our activities and we are having to cope as responsibly as we can.
"We have little choice in their presence at the club but we hope they will respect the grounds.
"We are contacting members and advising them to cancel their events. They will not be charged."
The 2,500 member club has two bowling greens, two tennis courts and three football pitches, including the one where the travellers are encamped.
The fields played host earlier this month to the prestigious RCD Junior League cup finals.
They are also used by junior sides from the Huddersfield Town Academy.
Mr Sykes said members could still use the clubhouse.
But he added: "Our main priority has to be the duty of care to members. We are doing our best to ensure they are not inconvenienced too much."
A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: We are fully aware of the situation and are monitoring it".
