TRAVELLERS who pitched up inside a locked park and ride car park are yet to move on, despite having been issued with an official Direction to Leave notice.

Seven caravans parked up at Colchester Park and Ride, at Cuckoo Farm, on Sunday.

But despite Essex County Council - which owns the land - handing over the notice on Tuesday, the caravans were still there yesterday.

County Hall bosses confirmed that the authority is now seeking a court order in order to allow for the repossession of the land from the travellers.

In the meantime, additional security has been on the park and ride site this week.

A spokesman for Essex County Council said the site was locked when the group gained access.

He added it was not known exactly how they got into the car park.

Essex Police is investigating the incident.

Speaking to the Gazette on Monday, one of the travellers said: “We’ll be here for a week.

“They can’t do anything for a week.

“We’re not here to cause trouble - why would we want trouble?”

The man said the group was “passing through” and said they were from County Mayo, in the west of Ireland.