A GROUP of 30 travellers have left the land next door to a popular leisure centre.

The caravans, which arrived a week ago today, have vacated the Rayleigh Leisure Centre land.

The group was served with a section 61 notice by Essex Police yesterday.

The travellers were told to leave by 10am today.

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A spokesman from Rochford Council, said: "Rochford Council can confirm that travellers who had taken up illegal encampment in Rayleigh Leisure Centre car park, have now vacated the site, following the service of a section 61 notice by the Police on Thursday 22 April 2021, instructing the group to leave the site by 10.00am today, Friday 23 April 2021.

"Whilst it is not clear where they have moved to, the Essex Countywide Traveller Unit have confirmed the group have left the Rochford district.

"Council officers will continue to monitor the situation.

"Working together with the Police and the Essex Countywide Traveller Unit we were able to move the travellers from the location in the shortest time allowed by legislation."