A SMALL group of travellers have complied with a notice ordering them to leave the car park at Clacton Leisure Centre within 24 hours.

The three caravans and vehicles turned up at the site earlier in the week.

The Travellers were visited by Tendring Council staff and the Essex Countywide Traveller Unit.

The unit served the group with a Direction to Leave notice yesterday and they duly moved on.

They had previously told Tendring Council officers that they were on holiday and expected to remain until the end of the week.

Paul Honeywood, cabinet member for housing, said: “I am pleased that this particular group have taken notice of the Direction to Leave and complied with it.

“It has saved everyone the time and cost of going down the court route on this occasion.”

A pile of wood that had been deposited on the car park was also taken away by the travellers who left little mess to clear up after them.