A COUNCIL boss has held talks with police commissioner Roger Hirst after staff were left to clear up rubbish and sickening graffiti when travellers moved off a make-shift camp in Holland-on-Sea.

A clean-up operation got underway last week after a group of travellers moved off Brighton Road, leaving a "large amount" of waste behind.

Tendring Council says there were also reports of vandalism.

A spokesman said: "A private resident’s house and car was targeted and subjected to offensive graffiti and Brighton Road was also defaced.

"Council teams began a swift operation this morning to clear the rubbish and remove all traces of the offensive vandalism."

Staff even discovered a jack russell terrier among the rubbish left by the travellers.

It was picked up by a council dog warden and is now said to be safe in kennels.

A separate group of travellers not connected to those who left last Tuesday night later moved off Brighton Road car park.

A further group of six caravans remained on land at Knox Road playing fields, and a smaller group on Holland Marshes were still on site after being issued with a court summons.

Council housing boss Paul Honeywood Mr Hirst condemned the offensive graffiti and criminal damage, and said it would be reported to the police.

He later met with police and crime commissioner Roger Hirst to discuss the situation.

Mr Honeywood said he was working closely with the police to ensure that illegal traveller sites were dealt with quickly, and said action would be taken against any vandalism or criminal activity where possible.

He also applauded the swift action of staff to clear up the damage.