Travellers who set up camp next to an Army barracks in a Lichfield village have moved on – leaving a trail of “filth” in their wake.

Dozens of caravans took up residence on Ministry of Defence-owned land next to Whittington Barracks around three weeks ago, to the dismay of villagers.

With support from police the ministry issued a notice for travellers to vacate the site, and they moved on early on Friday morning. But villager John Coley-Shaw said the mess left behind was still visible from the A51 past the barracks.

“They’ve gone now, but the filth is still there,” said retired Mr Coley-Shaw, who lives nearby in Jerrys Lane, Whittington. “I’ve been told that they were emptying their toilets in the woods adjacent to the married quarters at the barracks.”

The Ministry of Defence said work was underway to clear up the land.

A spokeswoman said: “Defence Estates can confirm that a group of travellers moved from Whittington Barracks on Friday.

“The local unit has now implemented a clean-up operation at the site.”

The travellers’ stint in Whittington has caused disruption for villagers as well as Army staff based at the barracks. Staffordshire Regimental Museum, which is next to Whittington Barracks, said they had to cancel its 500 Years of the Staffordshire Knot at War event – which was due to take place over the weekend – because of their presence.

Whittington Football Club was advised not to use its regular sports pitches at the barracks while the caravans were at the site.

Whittington FC community liaison officer Steve Kirk explained that the club had had to switch some games to other pitches in the area.

Mr Kirk said the situation “could have been worse”, adding that it was fortunate the travellers did not set up camp during the middle of their season.