TRAVELLERS have pitched up at a country park on the outskirts of Clacton.

Seven caravans and eight other vehicles arrived at Brook Country Park, off the A133, last night The site is owned by Tendring Council, which sent staff to visit the group this morning.

The county council's traveller unit has also been informed and will serve a direction to leave order, giving the group 24 hours to move on.

Court action to evict them could take up to ten days if they refuse.

Tendring Council housing boss Paul Honeywood said the encampment was spotted early this morning and action was taken immediately.

“It appears at this stage that they turned up very late last night and found their way onto the country park,” he said.

“Council staff will be monitoring the situation very closely and the traveller unit will use the only powers at its disposal to move them on as quickly as is possible.

“The council will then, of course, clear up any rubbish left on the site – the cost of which comes at an expense of the public purse.”

The country park is opposite Brook Retail park and opened in 2010.