An MP has said she will do her best to keep a village green free from travellers.

A group of travellers with ten caravans moved into Quinta Open Space in Quinta Drive late last night.

MP for Chipping Barnet Theresa Villiers contacted the police and Barnet Borough Council after she received complaints from neighbours about the encampment.

The police and council officers issued the travellers with an order giving them 24 hours to leave.

Michael Kelly, acting manager of the Community Protection Group, which tackles anti social behaviour and crime, said he hoped the site would be vacated by tonight.

Ms Villiers said she was pleased Barnet Council and Barnet Police had acted so quickly to move the encampment on.

She added: “Unauthorised travellers encampments can cause a great deal of damage and disruption which the council is left to clean up at taxpayers’ expense.

“I hope this swift response will reassure residents we are doing all we can to resolve this situation quickly.”

The council has received a number of reports of travellers moving into the borough over the last three months and said it continued to monitor the situation closely.