Taxpayers have been left with a potentially costly clean-up bill after travellers left a camp set up at Darenth Country Park.

A Dartford council spokeswoman said it could take a "while" for the fly-tipping to be cleared and that the authority was likely to foot the bill.

Travellers were evicted from the park last week after an illegal incursion on the land, one of several across north Kent in recent weeks.

They left the area after the council served them with a summons to attend Dartford Magistrates Court.

In Gravesend, Kent County Councillor Bryan Sweetland said he wanted the travellers to be charged after another mess was left near the Cyclopark.

Dartford resident Simon Amos said: "This was supposed to be an area of special natural interest, now it is just a dump.

"I find it unbelievable that they caused so much damage in just seven days.

"Whilst the council acted as swiftly as the law would allow, the police sat on their hands and did nothing.

"They used legal powers given to them to move them on from Darent Valley Hospital immediately but instead of escorting them from the area they allowed them to settle illegally just down the road.

"Now the taxpayer will have to foot the bill. Someone needs to be held accountable and this must never be allowed to happen again."