ACTION is being taken to evict travellers from a playing field near two schools in Clacton.

Seven caravans and vehicles arrived at the site in St John's Road on Friday afternoon.

The land, which backs on to Whitehall Academy and Clacton Coastal Academy, is owned by Tendring Council.

Council officers spoke to the travellers and were told that they intended to stay a week before moving onto a holiday park in the area.

The council said it has received complaints from residents about the encampment.

The Essex County Traveller Unit (ECTU) has been informed about the situation and the group will be issued with a Direction to Leave which gives them 24 hours to move on.

Should they not do so the unit will look to book a court hearing date to take legal action to have the travellers evicted.

Paul Honeywood, the council's cabinet member for housing, said the council is acting to have the group removed from its land as quickly as possible.

“We do have to follow a tired and tested process of issuing the Direction to Leave which, if not successful, will be followed up by action through the courts,” he said.

“It is not possible for us to simply move them from the land and any landowner would have to do the same.

“However, going down the correct route can take seven to ten days to get the result we want and that procedure has already started.”