The aftermath of the travellers' stay

Relieved residents in Wolverhampton who have been plagued by travellers for over a week have spoken of their delight after the convoy moved away from their homes.

More than 20 caravans and other vehicles started pulling off the council-owned playing fields in Wednesfield at 9pm yesterday.

Wolverhampton City Council had been due in court today to seek an eviction notice to force the group to move off the land.

The travellers had taunted residents as they smashed through gates to enter land off Lichfield Road, known locally as the Pavillion, on August 3.

One resident in Colman Avenue, near to the site that was taken over by the travellers, said: "I'm just so glad they've finally gone."

But the resident, who did not want to be named, felt for the people living near to wherever they will now move on to.

He said: "The noise at night was the worst thing. There were more than 20 caravans and they all had generators going and then there was the shouting and the yelling."

Another resident, who also did not wish to be named, told people had "put their lives on hold" since the travellers arrived.

He said: "Everybody has been on edge since they got here. I'm so pleased and relieved they've gone at last."

Legal action against the group had been due on Monday, but was brought forward to today after the number of caravans doubled to 24.

Wolverhampton City Council today said it was withdrawing court proceedings to repossess the land.

It's the ninth site occupied by the same group within the past five months.

Each time, they have left a trail of rubbish in their wake, costing the taxpayer up to £30,000 in clean up operations and legal costs.

Jeff Bagnall, an enforcement officer for Staffordshire-based bailiff company Penham Excel, said they had been to the site yesterday to negotiate with the travellers for about three hours.