MORE than 20 police officers from around Surrey turned up in force on Thursday of last week to a farmer's field off the A283 Milford to Witley Road to evict illegally camped travellers - and one very friendly puppy.

Using special police powers, officers surprised the travellers with an early morning order to leave the land, on the junction of Oxted Green and the A283 within the hour, or be moved off by force.

Around 50 vans, lorries and caravans left without any problems. Watching the proceedings which began just after 7 am was Waverley borough councillor for Milford and former Waverley mayor John Sandy.

"The travellers have caused a lot of nuisance," said Mr Sandy.

"They arrived on Sunday afternoon and their arrival followed a phone call I received that they were setting up camp at the end of Mousehill Lane in Milford."

The travellers he said then moved half-a-mile up the road and on to the field owned by local landowner.

"When there is a sudden influx of a lot of people it does cause anxiety to local residents," said Mr Sandy, who had taken on the job of visiting young and elderly people in their homes to allay any fears about the travellers.

It is believed some may have arrived following the evangelical gathering at Newbury the previous week. Others said Mr Sandy had Irish accents.

Mr Sandy praised the police action:"It was an excellent police operation involving the co-operation of the police and Waverley Borough Council."

Police Superintendent Neil Boon thanked everyone who worked with the police to "provide a fast and effective solution".

"The community can be assured that we will take firm action against similar illegal incursions, in accordance with the law."

He said that Surrey Police "would enforce where appropriate, legislation under section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, to evict people from illegal sites and will act to prevent a breach of the peace".