Rochford District Council has confirmed that the travellers who had pitched up illegally at Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park have left the area.

Four caravans entered the park last Monday evening. It is believed they cut through the gates in Cherry Orchard Way to access the park.

The council said in a statement: “Whilst it is not clear where they have moved to, there are no reports of them elsewhere in the district but council officers will continue to monitor the situation.

“Working together with the police and the Essex Countywide Traveller Unit, the partnership effectively prevented the situation from escalating.”

It is understood that this is the first time that travellers have pitched up in the park.

Rochford has had other illegal encampments in the district this year.

Earlier in the year, 20 caravans set up camp on land at Michelins Farm, off the A127 near the Fairglen Interchange. They were ordered to leave on April 26.

Two months later, 12 caravans moved onto council-owned land to the rear of Grange Community Centre, in Little Wheatley Chase, Rayleigh.

Rochford Council served them a notice to leave.

The travellers vacated the area in late June.