TRAVELLERS who smashed their way onto council-owned land have now departed, leaving litter and damaged property behind them.

The court order for possession was served on the travellers who had set up camp in Ombersley Way, Droitwich, at 2pm on Wednesday, (September 19).

The travellers were moving off site as the order was being served, and police confirmed the final few vans left the site at about 6.30pm that night.

The traveller invasion meant Pinders Circus lost three days trading.

A spokesman for Wychavon District Council said: “It is fair to say the land was left in a poor state with litter evident across the site and the adjacent canal towpath.”

A clean up operation was scheduled to be completed today.

British Waterways have also been alerted to the problems and the need to clean up on the towpath. The exact cost of the enforcement and clean up operation has not been calculated at present.

A spokesman added: “The site wasn’t unprotected before the arrival of the travellers and was actually secured with a locked barrier and perimeter bollards.

“On this occasion it appears the travellers smashed the lock off in order to gain access.

“Denying access isn’t straightforward, as previously travellers have removed bollards, cut open barriers, dug through earth bunds and filled in ditches in order to get onto land.”