A BAND of travellers moved on after petrol bombs were thrown at their caravans.

The bombs were hurled from cars in the early hours of yesterday, just missing their five caravans which were parked by the Chilterns Crematorium on the A404, Amersham.

Arsonists also threw petrol bombs at the travellers' caravans, camped near Amersham Hospital, overnight between Monday and Tuesday.

No-one was injured in either attack and there was no damage to property.

The travellers invaded land on Whielden Lane on Monday before moving to the A404, adjacent to Chilterns Crematorium

They were given permission to stay for 28 days on the county council land as one traveller had a heart condition.

A spokesman for Buckinghamshire County Council said: "We are disappointed with the outcome of the situation and especially the second petrol bombing on this particular family. They were originally from Bucks and have not caused us any problems.

"We are disappointed they felt they had to move on from this particular site. And it is an alarming situation for them to be targeted by individuals who would carry out an horrific action like this against a decent family."

He added the council do not know where the travellers had moved to but, as they had allowed them to stay for health reasons, they will not be able to help them any longer.

The spokesman said: "We have been let down by a mindless minority."

Buckinghamshire county councillor David Meacock (Con, Amersham East) condemned the petrol bombing.

He said: "You can understand that there is frustration on both sides in this situation. But I don't think any of that justifies taking the law into one's own hands - especially such things as fire bombing which endangers people's lives.

"We are not supposed to be Northern Ireland yet."

Detective Constable Simon Johnson, of Amersham CID said: "These were clearly home-made devices. They could certainly have seriously hurt someone."

Police believe the offenders were in a red convertible when they threw the bombs at 2.50am yesterday.

Witnesses are urged to contact DC Johnson on 01494 465888.