TRAVELLERS, who have been living in a Newton Abbot town centre car park for more than a week, have left, it has been confirmed.

Cricketfield car park, near the town’s Royal British Legion Club, had been home to a convoy of caravans since last Thursday.

Eye-witnesses and passers-by hit out at the unwanted guests for leaving litter everywhere and hanging out their washing around the car park.

Officials at Teignbridge Council were set to go before a judge this morning to turf them out of the council-run car park.

But hours before the hearing, the travellers packed up their belongings and hit the road.

A district authority spokesman said: ‘We can confirm that the travellers departed Newton Abbot’s Cricketfield Road car park on Thursday evening.

‘The car park and toilets are now fully operational and we have completed the removal of any rubbish left behind.’

Frustrated residents took to social media to criticise the travellers for leaving the car park in such a state.

One said: ‘They are violating our town.

‘Why are children and adults defecating in the car park in full view when there are public toilets just feet away?

‘It’s a public order offence – arrest them and tow their vans away.’

Another thundered: ‘This process takes far too long.

‘I am sure if I was dropping litter, using the ground as a toilet and letting my kids climb all over cars something would be done.

‘Why should they be above the law?’