Families have been moved out of a traveller site while it undergoes a major refurbishment.

West Berkshire Council says the tenants have not been evicted and will return to Four Houses Corner, in Ufton Nervet, after the 22-month project is completed.

The council, which owns the site, says all 16 pitches are now vacant.

A council spokeswoman said: “The site has been approved for major refurbishment and this work has now started.

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“There is on site security to ensure the site remains safe and secure.

“No tenants have been evicted from the site.

“All of the tenants are temporarily living in other homes whilst this 22-month project is underway after which, they will return to the site.”

The caravan site was at the centre of a police raid in August 2019, after the death of police officer Andrew Harper.

Henry Long, from Mortimer, was arrested at the site before he was convicted of the manslaughter of PC Andrew Harper and jailed for 16 years.

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The 28-year-old Thames Valley Police officer died after his ankles got caught in a strap trailing behind a vehicle driven by Mr Long in August 2019.

Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole were also convicted of PC Harper’s manslaughter at the Old Bailey in July 2020.