SPECIALISTS are being drafted in to decontaminate a village green which travellers have finally quit after a three-week stay.

Travellers had set up camp in about 20 caravans on the village green at Clyst St Mary which is owned by the local parish council.

They gained entry to the field by removing large boulders set up beside a locked gate.

They left quietly yesterday morning — and now the clean-up begins.

Mike Norman, the parish councillor at the forefront of the village's struggle to reclaim the green, said the good news over the travellers' departure was tainted by the mess they left behind.

"We have had to close the green completely to the public," said Mr Norman. "That includes the children's play area that was purpose-built for the village youngsters.

"The whole field is contaminated with dog and human faeces and is a terrible mess. The travellers also kept chickens and geese on the green.

"There is also terrible mess around the entrance with old gas cylinders, prams and other rubbish.

"The parish council will have to face the cost of all the cleaning."

He added: "We will have to call in specialists to decontaminate the area before anyone can be allowed in there to use the green.

"It is a great shame at this time of year when children could be expected to be out there playing. There is really nowhere else in the village."

Mr Norman said special steps were being taken to ensure there was no repeat of the unwanted invasion. "We are planning to bring in a large ship container which will be parked across the entrance," he said.

"The boulders did not work. The travellers had cranes on the back of vehicles and were able to lift them aside to gain access.

"We hope to have the container in place quite soon. We don't want this to happen again."

Earlier there was a police presence when children from Ottery St Mary Primary School put on performances of a play at the village hall that adjoins the green, but there were no reports of any trouble.

Last week a hog roast and concert planned for the green was cancelled.

East Devon District Council's diversity officer was not aware of the travellers' presence and the county council, which has a liaison officer for travellers, was not directly involved.

A county spokesman said: "We've not had any direct involvement with the group, but we have given the parish council legal advice about their rights and responsibilities as landowners."

Meanwhile, travellers continue to occupy a site in Marsh Barton. Yesterday police attended to investigate allegations of the theft of a television set.