Travellers moved into a rugby club last week and are expected to be moved on today.

A total of nine caravans took up residence in Wanstead Rugby Club, in Roding Lane North, Woodford Green on Thursday.

Redbridge council issued an enforcement order demanding the travellers leave by 2pm on Sunday. 

When they failed to leave Redbridge police advised that they would take action to force the them to move. 

The first group left on Sunday night, with the remaining caravans expected to leave on Monday morning.

Six police officers are currently stationed on the field and the travellers have until 2pm before they are forcibly evicted.

Redbridge Conservative leader and Bridge ward Cllr Paul Canal called for more powers for the council and land owners in evicting travellers.

Cllr Canal said: “It is simply wrong that any group can illegally occupy private land without the owners having an immediate right to evict them.

“It is also completely unacceptable that the costs of the clean-up will fall on the Rugby Club and local rate payers.

 “It is clear that the council, police and land owners need more powers to effect an immediate eviction of any illegal occupier and the right to demand that all clear up costs fall on the illegal occupiers, not local rate payers.”