Travellers who refused to leave a green space in Bushey voluntarily will be removed by police “at the earliest opportunity”.

The group reportedly pitched up in Park Avenue on Friday and were told to leave the site by Hertsmere Borough Council environmental health officers.

However they refused, meaning the council had to obtain a removal order from the court.

Cllr Seamus Quilty, portfolio holder for environment at Hertsmere Borough Council, said: "We are aware of the presence of travellers at Park Avenue in Bushey.

“Our environmental health and housing officers visited on Friday to carry out statutory welfare checks and to issue a ‘notice of direction’. This required the travellers to leave the site as soon as practicable.   

“As they did not move on voluntarily, a hearing has taken place at St Albans Magistrates Court today (Thursday) where a removal order was obtained requiring the travellers to move on and providing us with powers to remove them if they do not.   

“We are now liaising with colleagues at Hertfordshire Constabulary to arrange for that order to be served and to ensure the travellers move from the location as the earliest opportunity.”