TRAVELLERS have pitched up on an Essex County Council car park.

About nine caravans and other vehicles drove onto the car park behind Essex House, The Crescent, Severalls Business Park, Colchester.

They arrived last night.

The car park has an automatic stop barrier, chains and padlocks.

It is not yet known if entry was forced or if the car park had been left open.

Police were called and arrived at about 11.20am to talk to the travellers, who arrived in vehicles with irish number plates.

Several other vans are also going on and off the site with occupants looking for work.

The travellers declined to comment when asked how long they plan to stay.

A traveller liaison officer from the council has also visited the car park, with spaces for about 100 cars.

The caravans are parked in the shade by bushes along both sides of the car park.

Employees from the council are being prevented from parking on the site while the travellers remain.

Essex Police is investigating.