Devon leisure centre reopens as travellers leave site

A leisure centre in Devon has reopened after travellers illegally occupying the site were removed, a council has confirmed.

Culm Valley Sports Centre, in Cullompton, closed on Monday for "the safety of staff and customers" due to the arrival of travellers on Sunday.

Mid Devon District Council said the travellers had been removed from the site.

The council thanked local residents for their understanding during the closure.

Andrew Jarrett, deputy chief executive of the local authority, said: "The clean-up operation, to remove around 50 bags of rubbish and wheelie bins has been completed and the leisure centre is now back to normal operating hours."

He said a similar clean-up operation and building repairs were required last week at Lords Meadow Leisure Centre in Crediton.

"We fully appreciate that there has been significant inconvenience to residents who live near our facilities and to the users of our leisure centres over the past few days," Mr Jarrett added.

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