A family of travellers has moved from Ashtead Common after setting up camp last week, the council has confirmed.

A concerned resident for in touch with the Epsom Guardian to raise fears the family could have harmed nesting skylarks.

Mole Valley District Council officers visited the site on Friday morning and were told the family would be moving the next day.

Officers returned to the site this morning (Monday, June 19), and confirmed the family has now left.

The family of three arrived at the Common near Barnett Wood Lane, Ashtead, on Thursday night, the resident claimed.

They had set up an encampment near their Range Rover, with cooking facilities, caged birds hanging outside, two horses and a tent.

“At this time of the year, skylarks are nesting directly on the Common, and (the travellers’) illegal presence may also seriously affect this wildlife,” Simon Wass, an Ashtead resident explained.

“There are no toilet facilities and whilst I was there the gentleman pictured disappeared into the trees – presumably to relieve himself.”

The council did not take further action last week, but a spokeswoman said it would "be taking formal proceedings" if the family did not leave.

Today, a council spokesman said: "The site was visited this morning and we can confirm the travellers are no longer there."

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