Counting cost of Camp Squalor

The convoy of caravans left as Lewes District Council obtained an eviction order on Friday.

A council spokeswoman said: 'The court order was issued just before lunchtime on Friday and the travellers left of their own accord so we did not have to go through the eviction process.'

During their stay the travellers sparked uproar from island-based businesses by dumping piles of rubbish, empty gas cylinders and sewage around the site.

At the start of the week the area was still a rubbish-strewn eyesore. The big clean-up began on Wednesday. Contractors had quoted 'an extremely competitive price' to clear the 25cubic metres of rubbish and rubble.

'Obviously, the whole situation with travellers in the district creates additional cost and effort to all concerned in moving them on' said the council spokeswoman.