IT cost council tax payers almost £1,500 to remove a group of travellers who set up camp on a disused market.

The bill for cleaning up household waste, broken glass and other rubbish totalled £875, with a mechanical sweeper called in.

And legal charge for booting them off Firepool, in Taunton, after more than a week this month was £600.

Taunton Deane Council, which took action after the caravans were parked on the former livestock market, off Priory Bridge Road, at the start of March, says it will consider measures to save council taxpayers’ money if there is a repeat.

Cllr Mark Edwards, council deputy leader, said: “We will give consideration to placing a skip in situation if similar situations occurs in the future to reduce the burden on the council taxpayer.”