Travellers finally leave much-loved sports pitches as locals launch major clean-up operation

Travellers who had occupied a football ground illegally for nearly a week have finally left.

Bridgend Council confirmed the group had left Litchard playing fields in Bridgend yesterday evening, with the final caravan driving off at 7.10pm.

Approximately 13 caravans and as many as 20 vehicles had been stationed since Monday, June 15.

Municipal workers arrived at the site promptly as the encampment began dispersing.

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The council said: "Council crews proactively turned up after hearing that the first travellers started to leave and the initial clean-up operation started within seconds of the last caravan leaving."

Local residents had reported experiencing abuse and intimidation during the occupation.

The council had issued a legal direction under Section 77 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, demanding all vehicles and property be removed within 24 hours.

Despite this eviction notice, the group refused to vacate the premises.

Litchard FC, whose home ground was occupied, expressed deep frustration at the situation.

The club said that the "sight of caravans, motorhomes and vehicles spread across our playing fields has left many of our members frustrated and disappointed".

Hundreds of young players and community members were prevented from using the facilities during the encampment, the club added.

Councillor Martin Williams claimed that he encountered hostility when he visited the site on Friday to assess the situation.

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He said: "I went to see what was happening and took a photo of the mess that was being left when I was confronted by a group of Travellers threatening to 'spark me out'. I experienced first-hand what residents are experiencing."

The local representative's account underscored the tensions that had developed between the encampment and the surrounding community during the occupation.

For Litchard FC, the disruption meant the wider community lost access to recreational space that would normally serve local families and young footballers.

South Wales Police confirmed being aware of the encampment and had been liaising with Bridgend County Borough Council throughout the incident.

Before the group's departure, the council had escalated its legal response by applying for an order under Section 78 of the Act.

This would have authorised High Court Enforcement Officers to remove the vehicles, with any obstruction constituting a criminal offence.

An urgent hearing had been scheduled for Monday afternoon at Cardiff Magistrates' Court.

However, with the travellers having now departed voluntarily, the council indicated it would conduct an inspection of the site following the removal of all caravans.

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