Business owners have tightened security after travellers swamped a council car park with caravans, cars and trailers.

Police were called to the car park off Springwood Drive in Braintree at around 6pm lyesterday when the group arrived with around ten caravans.

The site is normally used by workers from surrounding businesses but was "completely blocked" by the travellers’ vehicles.

It is thought the group had moved off another site at Straits Mill, Braintree.

Braintree Council is seeking legal advice about moving the travellers off its land.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "We have been made aware there are some travellers in the car park in Springwood Drive.

"We attended just after 6pm to speak to the travellers and are liaising with the council."

A spokesman for Braintree Council said: "Officers are visiting the site to ascertain further information about the situation and legal advice is being sought."