CAMPAIGNERS who controversially camped in a churchyard have now left the site.

Occupy Southend members left St Mary's Church in Prittlewell last night, more than two days after a church deadline passed.

The Chelmsford Diocese said at the weekend that the group must leave by 3pm on Sunday but the protestors said it was not logistically possible for them to leave immediately.

The group scaled down the camp and kept a low profile during a funeral at the church yesterday.

Then at 8pm they left the site.

"We wish to express our heartfelt thanks to the people of Southend who have turned out in their hundreds to support us over the last ten days," the group said in a statement.

The members, who are trying to raise awareness of social and financial inequality, left a letter for the Rev Shaun Conlon informing him they had left.

Occupy Southend is expected to relocate elsewhere in Southend soon.