Fylde councillors threw out proposals for a controversial travellers site on land off Fairfield Road in Hardhorn early last month – but the group say they have never received the notice of refusal.

The council say they sent the notice out on June 8, giving the group 28 days – until this Tuesday – to lodge an appeal.

A spokesman for Fylde Council said: "They are saying they have not received the notice at all but we claim we dispatched it to them on June 8. We also published it on our website. We are investigating our paper trail to check it was sent out properly.

"We haven't yet received an appeal. If they do not appeal the council would be able to remove them from the site."

The site was set up on land on the border of Fylde and Wyre without planning permission by the Irish group last November.

A massive wave of objection followed from local residents claiming the travellers had been "threatening and intimidatory".

Others were worried about the loss of countryside.

A planning application for another travellers site on land off Lancaster Road in Preesall will be discussed at a Wyre Council planning committee meeting in August.

Neighbours and local councillors have already highlighted their concerns over noise and disturbance to residents and the effect the camp will have on the local environment.