RESIDENTS have been urged to 'stay calm' after travellers moved into Ellesmere Port near the spot where schoolboy Johnny Delaney was killed.

Borough council leader Fred Venables spoke out after more than a dozen travellers set up an illegal camp on Crescent Road, close to the M53.

Describing their arrival in his Westminster ward as 'unwelcome', Cllr Venables said he wants them evicted 'quickly but peacefully'.

Emotions are still running high among the travelling community following the death of 15-year-old Johnny, who was kicked to death off nearby Lydden Road in May 2003.

Cllr Venables said: 'I urge all residents to stay calm and everyone to abide by the law.

'There seems to have been no interface between the two communities and perhaps that's just as well.' Cllr Venables has visited the site with Inspector Adele Jones, of the town's police.

A concerned Crescent Road resident said: 'The site is like the M25, with HGVs and commercial vehicles making a loud noise until 5am.

'I fear there could be confrontation between residents and travellers.' Formerly the Petrofina depot, the site is now owned by Widnes-based development company Morbaine.

Its director, Alex Brodie, said: 'We have instructed our solicitors to take the necessary proceedings for eviction. This is trespass.'

Meanwhile, Cheshire County Council has moved to allay residents' fears after traveller children were placed at John Street Primary School.

One angry parent said: 'They are filling up places meant for our children. Travellers say they are staying here for another four weeks.

'Parents are in uproar. We are very unhappy and some of us want to withdraw our children from school.'

A county council spokeswoman said: 'We have a duty to provide education to all children who live or who are staying in an area. John Street doesn't turn down applications from local families. A small number of travellers are there at present.'