ACTIVISTS camped in a churchyard have been told to leave.

Occupy Southend protestors moved on to church land at St Mary's Church in Victoria Avenue, Southend, on Sunday.

The core group of about half a dozen campaigners say they set up the permanent camp to raise awareness that the majority of the population is unhappy with the way the country, particularly the financial system, is run.

One of the group told the Echo talks had been held with the church at the start of the week but no decision had been made of whether the church wanted the campers to leave or not.

But a spokesman for Chelmsford Diocese told the Echo: “We told the people from the Occupy movement that they should leave St Mary’s churchyard.

"We take exception to their claim that this is not clear.”

The group has said it aims to be there "for the long haul" and they have spoken to a number of residents who appreciate the message they are spreading, that there is too much inequality in the country between the rich and the poor.