A SHOWDOWN between travellers and residents in Penketh came to a head on Sunday with one man arrested on suspicion of assault.

Police were called to the land at the former Penketh and Sankey Sports and Social Club on Warrington Road on Sunday at 5.15pm following reports of a disturbance.

When officers arrived at the scene, a 40-year-old man local man was arrested.

He was taken to police custody but has since been released without charge after officers were unable to contact the victim.

One witness described the events as frightening as the 'angry clash threatened to turn violent'.

He said: "A white van containing three tool-wielding travellers was parked in the middle of the dual carriageway for five minutes while the occupants threatened and taunted residents."

It is understood that the police have been called out to a number of incidents in the area since the travellers set up shop.

Police say they were informed that a make-shift camp had been set up on Wednesday, April 14, at 10pm.

A spokesman for Cheshire Police said: "Officers attended the site and liaised with both the landowner and the travellers, as well as providing reassurance to residents in the local community."

It is believed that the travelling community left the site on Sunday following the confrontation.