A seafront car park was left ‘swamped’ with rubbish after travellers set up an impromptu camp.
A group of around 16 caravans and trailers have been parked up on the Melrose car park on Weston-super-Mare seafront since last week.
Initially around 10 caravans arrived with numbers quickly swelling over the weekend.
The group took over a large section of the rear of the car park which is normally used by people visiting the town.
Their arrival sparked concern amongst residents after rubbish was left piled up along the wall at the rear of the car park.
Some of the caravans moved off this morning (Tuesday, July 14) with several caravans still on site.
Local resident Nicholas Hayman said:”Over the last few days the numbers of caravans and trailers at the park have continued to multiply.
“However some left this morning with about six still on the site.”
Mr Hayman, a 52-year-old ex-Grenadier Guard, said the group had left behind an ‘awful mess.’
North Somerset Council waste crews were on site at 7am to start with the clean up – filling two trucks with rubbish.
Rubbish included used nappies, human excrement and garden waste.
There was also evidence of waste from properties across the town.
Mr Hayman said: “There were five council staff on the site early today to clean up the site.
“There was a lot of mess and rubbish which had been left along the back wall of the car park.”
This is not the first time travellers have used the pay and display car park as a stop off.
A group also set up temporary camp at the site earlier this summer.
Calls are now being made for the authority to put in measures to prevent further illegal encampments.
One suggestion is to install a height barrier at the entrance to the car park to stop larger vehicles from accessing the site.
“The council needs to be more proactive in its approach,” said Mr Hayman.
“Each year it is chasing its tail dealing with clearing up after travellers.
“There are other sites at risk such as Clarence Park and the Beach Lawns, both of which have seen encampments already this year.”
It is understood some of the group have now moved on to part of the Hans Price Academy site in the town.
