A GROUP of travellers who pitched up on a Colchester field have now vacated the area.

A group of travellers set up camp when caravans moved to King's Meadow, on Sunday, May 12.

Following the group's move to the area, Colchester Council was seeking to find a court date to have the group moved on as the authority said it was the same travellers who had pitched up at Britannia car park.

A Colchester resident who wishes to remain anonymous, discovered the site empty on Monday morning at 10.30am during a dog walk, along with five black bags of rubbish and litter strewn across the area.

Gazette: Close-up - an image of the travellers set up in King's Meadow, Lower Castle ParkClose-up - an image of the travellers set up in King's Meadow, Lower Castle Park (Image: Newsquest)

Gazette: Horrible - the discarded waste found this morningHorrible - the discarded waste found this morning (Image: Public)

Gazette: Flytipped - five black binbags full of wasteFlytipped - five black binbags full of waste (Image: Public)

They said: “It’s a real shame all these bags have been left dumped on what is otherwise a really clean and beautiful part of Colchester.

“I come here most days with my dog and the last thing I want to see - or smell - is piles of rubbish.

“It could also be a hazard for people’s dogs because who knows what they could end up eating if they were to get into one of the bags.

“Obviously I can’t say for certain this has been left by the travellers, but, if it was, it’s a particular shame as I believe they had otherwise acted respectfully.”

A spokesman for Colchester Council has confirmed the waste has now been dealt with.

They said: “We can confirm that the group of travellers has now vacated Kings Meadow.

"Throughout their stay, the council's neighbourhoods team diligently worked to manage the situation by regularly clearing away any rubbish left by the travellers.

"Now they have departed, our park rangers have swiftly moved in to ensure that all remaining waste was thoroughly cleaned up.

"The site has now been fully cleared and restored to its usual standard.

"We understand the community's concerns regarding flytipping and the impact it has on our public spaces.

"The council remains committed to maintaining clean and safe environments for all residents and visitors.

"We continue to encourage the public to report any instances of flytipping, so we can address them promptly and effectively.”