A nature reserve yards from a children's play area which has been plagued by anti-social behaviour from rough sleepers has led to drastic action by the city council.

It follows the discovery of discarded drug needles, knives, broken glass and even human waste at Bingley Island near Toddlers Cove in Canterbury.

Now the city council has ordered in contractors with tractors to clear the vegetation and scrub, including cutting down trees.

Over two days, several acres of the land has been cleared which has alarmed some passers-by who were not aware of why it was happening.

But the council says it has done the work in full consultation with the Kentish Stour Countryside Project and the Friends of the Westgate Parks.

Spokesman Rob Davies said: "Sadly, Bingley Island has become the target of increasing levels of anti-social behaviour in recent years.

"Human waste, knives, needles, alcohol and broken glass all associated with a number of unauthorised encampments have been discovered.

"None of these are acceptable in a public open space, but particularly in this instance when it is situated next to a popular children's play area and on a site that is well-used by families, school groups and dog walkers.

"As a responsible and proactive landowner, we therefore took the decision to remove a small number of trees and cut back vegetation to improve visibility and sightlines, which is an approach that has worked in other areas of the district.

"Before the work started, we discussed the issue with the Friends of Westgate Parks, the Kentish Stour Countryside Project and volunteers who help look after the park, and there was acceptance that this was a problem that needed to be tackled and the work was required.

"It has been carried out at this time to avoid the bird nesting season, and while we accept it may look a little harsh right now, the area will quickly regenerate and flourish once the drier conditions of spring arrive.

"We will continue to manage Bingley Island for wildlife, extending the grassland area for insects and maintaining the remaining vegetation along the river edges for bats and birds, to ensure this popular green space is available for everybody to enjoy safely."