Travellers who pitched up on the former Gaelic football ground in New Eltham have been evicted.

Around 20 caravans first appeared on the disused pitch in Avery Hill Road on Monday (May 18).

Officers were initially called to the site around 10pm that evening, after they received calls reporting the caravans parked there illegally.

The caravan owners were served with a notice to move.

They were evicted yesterday (May 22) around 4pm.

MORE TOP STORIES Police officers and the council arrived at the pitch to enforce the eviction order and the caravans and travellers left the football pitch.

Neighbours reported seeing around 30 police officers at the site yesterday. 

It is thought they initially gained access to the playing field, on private land, by using bolt cutters to break the padlocks.

Before they were moved on residents reported incidents of fly-tipping on the field.

A nearby resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “I would just like to confirm reports of fly tipping by the travellers on this site and have photographic proof on a daily basis of the increased mounds of rubbish being tipped.”

There were also reports that small fires were started on the site.

A spokesman for the Met Police confirmed there were no arrests.

Travellers have also been spotted at the Butterfly Club in Butterfly Lane, Eltham.