A much-loved cricket club has declared victory over travellers after evicting a "large group of caravans" from its grounds.
Taunton Vale Sports Club, on the Somerset town's Gipsy Lane, had been forced to close after legions of vehicles pitched up on Sunday night.
The club - home to Somerset Cricket Club's second team and a host of other local sports sides - was "closed for the foreseeable future" as a result.
But after a dawn raid by bailiffs on Tuesday, general manager Steve Archer declared a "big success".
"This morning at 6am, we instructed West Country Baliffs to carry out an eviction notice - on our unexpected visitors who set up camp at the sports club," Archer said.
General manager Steve Archer shared images of the club's now-cleared fields on social media
TAUNTON VALE SPORTS CLUB
"The notice to quit has come at a major expense to the sports club, but this was the only way to take back ownership of our private land.
"This eviction has been a BIG success with the travellers leaving the site at 11am.
"Normally, these types of evictions can take days, and sometimes weeks!
"We are very happy with the service West Country Baliffs have provided to the sports club and to get back ownership of our land."
The much-loved West Country sports club plays host to Somerset Cricket Club's second team and a host of other local sports sides
The general manager added that the club will remain closed on Tuesday, but will reopen a day earlier than expected from 9am on Wednesday.
The eviction was met with glee by locals on social media.
One, Bethan Turner, said: "That is fantastic news Stephen - just a shame that great cost has been incurred for the club!"
Another, Joy Lake, added: "Pleased to hear of their removal... not so much about the cost."
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Joy Lake said: 'Pleased to hear of their removal... not so much about the cost' (file photo)
PA
A spokesman for organisers Taunton Vale Sports Group had said on Monday: "Overnight we have had a large group of Travellers set up base at the Sports Club.
"All cricket-related activities have been cancelled until further notice. The clubhouse will also remain closed," the spokesman told the Somerset County Gazette.
The traveller row follows similar fury in Bournemouth just days earlier, when a park run was forced into cancellation by scores of campervans illegally pitching up on a park in the South Coast town.
England and Wales's 2021 census indicated that some 71,400 individuals identify as Gypsy or Irish Traveller, as well as more than 100,000 as Roma - but these numbers are believed to be lower than the actual population.
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