TRAVELLERS, who last week pitched up at a Shoebury park, have now left the site, but it appears they have now moved onto the former Hinguar playing fields.

Last week, up to 15 caravans had broken through the wooden railings at Gunners Park on the green adjacent to the Garrison.

On Sunday afternoon, the caravans vacated the park, in Ness Road, and headed west along Shoebury Common Road.

They left behind a huge amount of rubbish, piled up in black bin bags, along with a 5ft high gas cylinder.

The mess has since been cleared up.

Peter Grubb, owner of Uncle Tom’s Cabin on Shoebury Common Beach, was relieved to see the travellers leave, but wants to see further action taken to stop them gaining access to public areas and leaving them in an unsightly state.

Mr Grubb said: “I think we got off lightly as the Shoebury Common would have been ideal for them if they had managed to stay there.

“I’ve asked whether the the council took out an injunction against the travellers, which they have acknowledged, although they did not say whether they had sought an injunction to move the group on.”

Residents were relieved to see travellers leave the site in Ness Road, particularly as it is used by the public.

However, travellers have now pitched up on the old Hinguar Primary School playing fields.

Residents were concerned when a number of caravans, vans and cars turned up to the site on Sunday afternoon in George Street, near Shoeburyness East beach.

The travellers managed to open the locked gates of the fenced off field, which has not been used since the school relocated.

The council has been alerted to their presence on the Hinguar playing fields site and said they are being dealt with, but they did not go into detail.