TRAVELLERS have been asked to leave a site in Great Saling.

A number of caravans moved next to the village hall on Sunday.

Diane Greenwood, chairman of the village hall committee, said the parish clerk called the police.

She said: “They turned up at about 8.30pm on Sunday, there were about ten of them.

“As soon as we knew the parish clerk called the police and Braintree Council.

“They have come and gone, the numbers have fluctuated.

“There’s a few dogs and a few children too.”

The site is a public playing field, owned by Braintree Council.

A council spokesman said: “We are aware of caravans and vehicles at the recreation ground at Great Saling on land owned by us.

“The Essex County Traveller Unit is working on our behalf to move the travellers from our land through the appropriate legal processes.”

Police were called to reports of an unauthorised traveller encampment on land in Picotts Lane. Officers are liaising with the district council and are monitoring the situation.

A spokesman for Essex County Council said: “We are aware that a group of travellers have arrived in the playing field behind Great Sailings Village Hall.

“We have served them with a ‘Direction to Leave’ notice, and expect them to move on in the coming days.”