TRAVELLERS have set up an illegal camp on a Southend sports ground.

More than a dozen caravans, mobile homes and vans pitched up on the Trinity Sports Ground, in Eastern Avenue, Southend, yesterday, without permission.

The first caravans were seen just after noon and the group quickly increased to 15 vehicles within a couple of hours, with more arriving throughout the afternoon.

Southend Council, which owns the site, is seeking a court order to move the group on and is monitoring the makeshift camp until it is signed off.

Council leader Ron Woodley said: “We are aware that travellers have set up on our land at the Trinity Sports Ground.

“We have immediately taken action and approached the court to seek an order to move them on.

“Until we receive such an order, we will continue to monitor the situation closely and liaise with the relevant public agencies.

“As a council, we do not tolerate trespassing, which is why we are taking this swift action.”

The group is believed to have gained access via the overflow car park of Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre.

A gate from the car park into the sports ground, which is usually locked, was seen open.

Travellers, including children, were seen connecting gas canisters and apparently discarding rubbish on the grass.

A group of travellers were moved on from the Dukes Industrial Estate, in Chelmsford, at the end of last week, but it is unclear if it is the same group.

The field, next to Garon Park, is used by a number of sports teams, including Trinity FC, and is popular with dog walkers.

Travellers set up camp in Garon Park just days before the Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life in June last year, before moving off just in time for the event.

Another group set up camp in the nearby Victory Sports Ground, in Sutton Road, in 2013.

RESIDENTS and business owners have expressed concern about the unwelcome visitors.

Kids Kingdom, which is next to the Trinity Sports Ground, has a locked barrier over its car park to prevent travellers setting up camp. 

Manager Adam Reading said: “That’s crazy. It’s just an absolute pain.

“It’s always being used and people go over there walking their dogs.

“I just don’t agree with it at all. We had the problem at Garon a little while back, that’s why we have a barrier in our car park, so no lorries and caravans can get in.”

Kate Hopkinson, 22, of Bewley Court, in Whittingham Avenue, Southend, said: “If they want somewhere to live they should go to the council rather than pitching up their trailers where they want.

“I think it’s totally outrageous for them to come, break and enter and think it’s OK to camp.

“They drop rubbish and they think it’s their land.”