This year's Stanway circus will almost certainly be cancelled after more than 70 travellers' cars and caravans moved on to the site.

The landowner, who did not want to be named, said he is "despondent and in despair" after the group broke on to the private field in London Road, Colchester, today.

The circus had been due to move on to the same site within days, but organisers have been told it is unlikely that the circus will be able to go ahead.

Last year travellers were on the same field for more than three weeks, after which concrete blocks, two feet trenches around the entrances and the thickest chains and padlocks available were installed to prevent a repeat.

He said: "I don't know what else I can do.

"It's a complete violation and I feel like my own home has been robbed.

"I incurred more than £2,000 in legal fees last time and still they come here - it's something the whole community must deal with, it really is a nightmare," the landowner said.

Published Wednesday August 14, 2002

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