Business leaders today called on authorities to take swift action against travellers who set up camp on parkland on Basildon's Miles Gray Road over the weekend.

Invasion worry - some of the newly arrived caravans Picture: ROB BROWNE

The site has become packed with caravans, and families have begun to attach washing lines to roadside trees.

Their arrival has hit the nearby Outback Steakhouse restaurant, which is officially opening this weekend.

Outback Steakhouse proprietor Stuart McDougall claims to have lost an estimated £200,000 in turnover already from delays caused by the activities of other travellers who set up temporary home in his car park last December.

He said: "This is really bad news and I'm not happy about it at all.

Published Tuesday, June 17, 2003

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