A group of travellers camped up at a leisure centre will be summoned to court after refusing to leave.

Rochford District Council issued a direction to leave notice on Friday to the first group of travellers who moved onto the grounds of Rayleigh Leisure Centre on September 30 and a court summons will be served to them tomorrow.  

The removal process for the second group of Travellers is being initiated separately. 

Rochford District Council, the Essex Countywide Traveller Unit and Essex Police are aware that another group has moved onto land at Rayleigh Leisure Centre car park. 

The Council continues to work in partnership with the traveller unit and Essex Police and the agencues are monitoring the site.