CONCERTED efforts involving three councils is being credited on travellers leaving Frinton within 24 hours.

A small group of vans arrived on the Frinton greensward on Wednesday morning after being “persuaded” to leave the Clacton greensward, where the air show was held during Thursday and Friday.

Town and district councillors, plus the Essex County Council Travellers Unit, visited the travellers on Wednesday, who agreed to leave the following morning.

It was the first ‘incursion’ of travellers in the town in more than 20 years and they were gone by 9.45am Thursday.

Tendring Council cabinet member Nick Turner, who also sits on Frinton and Walton Town Council, praised the three councils for “moving rapidly” to tackle the problem.

“We prepared papers to go to court to get an eviction order, which wasn’t necessary in the end. I am really pleased all three authorities worked together so well,” he said.

“I’m also pleased the travellers didn’t leave any mess at all. We got a good result in Frinton.”

Mr Turner said he did not know where the Frinton travellers have moved on to but there remains a small group in a “rather idyllic area” with trees on Centenary Way, close to Morrisons Supermarket.

But with that being private land, moving them is up to the supermarket chain. It is believed they have been there over a week.

Coun Anne Davis, who visited the Frinton travellers on Wednesday, said she was really pleased this particular group of travellers had left the greensward “clean and tidy” and within the time they promised.

“I think it’s important to distinguish between travellers who leave a place tidy and those who leave an unsightly mess that costs much to clean up,” she said.