A direction to leave notice has been handed to a group of travellers on land at Rayleigh leisure centre.

It comes as 30 caravans pitched up outside the site in Priory Close - for the fifth time in the last year.

Initially, half a dozen caravans arrived at the leisure centre on Friday evening before the number rapidly increased over the weekend.

Rochford district council has been liaising with Essex Countywide Traveller Unit (ECTU) and the police in relation to the matter.

The notice has now been served and the group have until midday tomorrow (April 21) to vacate the site.

If they remain on the site past this time then an application will be made to the court for a summons.

Earlier this year, the government approved the "Irish Option", which will give police the power to move on illegal encampments at the earliest approval.

The new law has yet to come into force.