WORKERS have started clearing up the ‘Occupy Homeless Sanctuary’ site in Boscombe.

An eviction notice was served on the unauthorised encampment at the former coal yard site earlier this month.

By that time only a handful of campaigners remained, although a number of tents were still pitched across the sprawling yard. On Friday, photographer George Hughes captured images of heavy machinery that had been drafted-in by site owners Brightmark Ltd to clear up the area. The ‘sanctuary’ was established early in January.

After the eviction notice was enforced, a Bournemouth Council spokesman said: “Our priority is the safety and welfare of any vulnerable people who have been staying on or visiting the site, and to this end we have been working closely with relevant partners including social services and the rough sleeper’s team.”