Some of a group of travellers who stayed overnight at a Maldon leisure centre car park appear to have left the site this morning (Monday, 22 February).

Maldon District Council (MDC) is working with the county council and Essex Police to resolve the situation after the travellers arrived and parked their caravans at the Blackwater Leisure Centre in Park Drive yesterday.

A spokesperson for MDC said: ""The council was made aware of an illegal encampment at Blackwater Leisure Centre yesterday evening, and we are currently working with Essex Police and Essex County Council's Countywide Traveller Unit, who are taking the necessary steps to seek their removal at the earliest opportunity".

It is understood the gates of the car park were shut as soon as possible to help prevent any other travellers setting up camp. However, it is believed some of the vans have already moved on.

An Essex County Council spokesperson said: "Officers from the Essex County Traveller Unit have visited the Blackwater Leisure Centre site and are working in partnership with officers from Maldon District Council to manage the site. Legal processes to remove the travellers from the site have been initiated."