A GROUP of travellers made camp in Dartmouth's Mayor's Avenue car park this week.

Four caravans arrived on Tuesday morning, some with young families, setting up home across several parking bays.

Their presence caused quite a stir in the town, with some rumours that they had been attracted to visit by the Dartmouth Every Time advertising campaign.

But one of the traveller women said they had come from Ireland and it 'was purely a coincidence' they had chosen Dartmouth. All the vehicles had left by the end of the day.

Police said a number of residents had told them they had been approached by men with Irish accents trying to sell pressure washers, ceramic knives and generators.

Dartmouth Every Time posted the following comment on the police Facebook page: 'Can't believe some of the rumours flying around town generated today by desperate people.

'The only caravan parties that the DET campaign attracts are the much welcomed tourism visitors. Hence one of the most popular website and Facebook pages in town!!'

Cllr Dave Cawley replied on the police Facebook site with: 'It isn't true that they saw the Dartmouth Every Time posters and the references to gourmet restaurants. However, the rumours and antagonism shown only backs up the fact that 82 per cent of businesses did not vote for the BID but still have to pay!'

A spokesman for South Hams Council said anyone who used the council car parks was subjected to its traffic orders and regulations.

'A parking control warden visited the site and the travellers left shortly afterwards,' he said.