A group of travellers have set up camp on a Clacton seafront car park, which is due to be used for visitors to the town's popular air show.

The two-day show, which starts tomorrow, is expected to attract about 80,000 people.

The arrival of about 15 caravans on the West Road site is causing concern for organisers of the main event on the town's calendar.

But police and Essex County Council officers have been assured by the travellers they will leave before visitors start to arrive.

John Bourne, gipsy liaison officer at County Hall, Chelmsford, said a colleague had been to visit the group on Monday on behalf of Tendring Council, which owns the land.

"They went down there with police officers. After talking to the people there, they were given assurances that they will be off the site by this afternoon," he said.

Published Wednesday August 21, 2002

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