Southend Council leader Howard Briggs today condemned travellers camped at Leigh as "parasites".
As 12 caravans moved on to land behind Leigh station, Conservative West Leigh ward councillor, Mr Briggs said: "They make a disgraceful mess and are parasites on the rest of the community.
Travellers - the group is camped on land opposite Two Tree Island Picture: MAXINE CLARKE
"They pay no taxes. They cost a lot of money and serve no useful purpose to the community. They are a damned nuisance and the sooner we get rid of them the better."
The group is camped on land opposite Two Tree Island, where organisers of the Leigh Folk Festival expect visitors to be camping for the event on June 28.
A council spokeswoman said: "Officers from the council visited the travellers along with the police and we asked them to move on. We served court papers on them explaining that we are going to court to seek repossession of the land."
Liberal Democrat councillor for Leigh ward, Peter Wexham, said: "The police gave them five days notice to leave or be evicted. That was due to run out today so they should be out fairly soon."
The travellers refused to comment when approached.
Published Tuesday, June 3, 2003
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