A GROUP of travellers have left a playing field in Clacton after being given 24 hours to move on.

Seven caravans and a number of vehicles pitched up at the site off St John's Road last Friday, sparking complaints to Tendring Council from residents.

The council informed the Essex Countywide Traveller Unit which issued the travellers with a direction to leave yesterday.

Council housing boss Paul Honeywood says the group are now no longer on the site behind Whitehall Academy and Clacton Coastal Academy.

“I am extremely pleased that they have taken heed of the notice served on them and that it has not been necessary to take court action in this particular case,” he said.

“A direction to leave has worked a couple of times already this year and I hope that those who turned up in Burrs Road yesterday will also follow the same course and move on once they receive their notice.

“It is much quicker than if we have to wait for a court hearing. It shows that the process we follow does work.”

The council believes the group from St John's Road have now left the Tendring district.

Another group of travellers who had been camped on Coppins Court in Clacton have also left the area.