Outraged tenants of a business centre have said they could consider moving out because of continual problems with travellers.

Bosses at the Braintree Enterprise Centre said they have reached the end of their tether after travellers this week left the site in a "disgusting mess".

For three weeks businesses at the centre, on the Springwood Industrial Estate, have been unwilling neighbours to between 25 and 30 travellers.

Tenants said the travellers' camp was littered with piles of tree cuttings, gas cylinders, bags of rubbish, old furniture and human excrement.

Jackie Campey, secretary of Bradling Security, said: "We have to pay phenomenal rates and should not have to put up with this. I have nothing against the gipsies but the mess they have left behind is just disgusting."

Jeff White, from J W Microwave Services, said: "I am dumbfounded nothing can be done in a situation like this - that they can dump their rubbish as and when they like without question."

He added: "It is disgraceful we have to come to work and look at this awful mess. We all feel that we want to pack up and go home."

Enterprise centre administrator Angela Weatherley said most of the 33 businesses had complained.

"Some feel strongly we don't seem to be getting anywhere with the council and the only way forward is to create extra pressure by speaking out," she said.

Mrs Weatherley said some businesses felt like giving up. "They are not happy about their customers having to drive through a gipsy site to get here."

The former Crittal Sports and Social Club, in Springwood Drive, has also been targeted by travellers.

A court order issued by landowners Norcros Estates eventually moved them on but the rubbish and prospect of a costly clean-up operation remained.

Group property advisor for Norcros Tim Rix said: "We, as private landowners, are powerless to do anything. A plan of action involving the police, the council and landowners is needed otherwise the problem will not disappear."

Head of environmental services at Braintree Council Peter Tattersley said there was little the council could do as the business site was privately owned but appreciated the centre's concerns.

He said: "They always irritate the local community, but as a local authority we have certain obligations. Some gipsies are doing nothing to help themselves."

"People forget the legal arguments and equality issues altogether if every time they set up an encampment they leave the sort of mess we have seen recently."

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