DISGUSTED residents have reported evidence of human faeces and dirty toilet paper left strewn across a popular field after travellers stopped off for a visit.

The waste was found by sickened dog walkers and families as they wandered through the field, at the junction of Berechurch Hall Road and Berechurch Road, Colchester.

The land is understood to be owned by the Ministry of Defence.

Carla Wilson, of Berechurch Hall Road, said: “Leaving rubbish and human waste everywhere is a health hazard.

“I am often out and about in this area with my children, exploring for bugs or kicking a ball about.

“There is human waste and dirty toilet paper, left for families and dog walkers to trample over.

“Surely these travellers would be more welcomed by the community if they didn’t do such disgusting things.”

The group of around a dozen caravans were issued with a direction to leave notice and had left by yesterday morning.

However a second group of caravans had reportedly arrived on the land by 3pm yesterday afternoon.

Lieutenant Colonel Ciaran Griffin, Colchester Garrison commander, said: “Access to military land in Colchester is governed by the Colchester and District Military Lands Byelaws 1973.

"This grants the right for the Ministry of Defence to immediately move on people using the land inappropriately, with those refusing to comply liable for arrest.

“Travellers illegally camping on Abbey Fields and the field off Berechurch Hall Road have been moved on this week using these powers, but left significant amounts of rubbish behind them.

“Due to the nature and volume of material restoring the land to a suitable condition for public access will require specialist cleaning contractors which we are working to do as soon as possible.

“We are keen to facilitate lawful use of military land in Colchester which provides valuable recreational space for residents but will robustly apply the powers available to us in response to illegal activity.”

This is the second time in a matter of days the military has been left to clean up mess left by others on their land.

Colchester Garrison was left counting the cost after broken glass, bags of rubbish, human faeces, tree branches and gas canisters were left littering Abbey Field.

Speaking on Monday afternoon, a Garrison spokesman said the rubbish would likely be cleaned up by today.

Separate groups of travellers have been reported on private land in Walton and Little Clacton.

A group left the site in Little Clacton just a day after setting up camp.

They arrived on land in Progress Way, between the A133 and Little Clacton roundabouts, on Monday afternoon.

It is understood the land is owned by developer Kevin Britton, who declined to comment.

A clear-up operation is also in progress after a group of travellers left the Walton over the weekend.

The group had arrived on land at the back of the Columbine Centre on May 25.

It is understood they have now left the site and set up camp at the Naze Marine holiday park in Walton.

Tendring Council confirmed that excrement had been left at the Columbine Centre site and had to be cleared up by the council’s waste and recycling contractor Veolia.

Frinton and Walton mayor Robert Bucke criticised the group for leaving human waste behind.

He said: “It’s absolutely disgusting and it’s behaviour I wouldn’t expect from my cat.

“We have had human excrement left at the site and rubbish is piled up at the entrance.

“There was also human waste at the north end of the site and thrown over the seawall footpath. It was also in and behind bushes.

“This has cost residents to clear up the site.”

“This green space is next to a school and primary school children are within a metre of this stuff.”