Travellers have left up to 40 tonnes of waste outside an historic church in Essex and taxpayers have been left to pay for the clean-up.

The rubbish was left behind near St Nicholas Church in Laindon by the occupants of more than 20 caravans who descended on the area.

Gary Edwards from Basildon Council said: "The operation to clear the site is likely to cost between £6,000 and £7,000 of public money which the council would far rather be spending on other things."

@BasildonCouncil Arrests, fines, prosecutions? Or just wait til they leave & spend our taxes clearing it like usual? pic.twitter.com/Q8k4Q1GlnJ

— Kris (@Kris_LXXXV) April 27, 2017

Including cups, saucers, car parts and human faeces, the litter was strewn across a stretch of grass of nearly 100 metres in the village.

Dating back to the 13th century, St Nicholas is Grade I-listed.

Mr Edwards from Basildon Council added: "Residents have rightly expressed their outrage and we will explore all legal avenues in order to take appropriate steps against the perpetrators."

Travellers arrived in the secured field during the course of a week before being evicted on Wednesday.