A GROUP of travellers who pitched up at the Rivermead Industrial Estate over the weekend have until 9pm tonight to move elsewhere.

A group of caravans was spotted in Rivermead Drive on Sunday with their presence being reported to Swindon Council. The authority has worked with Wiltshire Police to issue a notice requiring the travellers to leave the area.

The site is in the ward of Coun Jim Robbins (Lab, Mannington and Western).

He said: “The police have served the notice and it requires that they leave by 9pm tonight. The police will be there to ensure everything runs smoothly. As far as I’m aware everything went fine when the notice was served and I’m impressed by how quickly the situation has been dealt with.”

Residents had accused the travellers of making a mess in the area.

Coun Robbins said: “Once the travellers have left the site we will assess the area and see whether any clean up is required.”