Travellers who were moved from one part of a picturesque village have set up camp in a children’s play area just 200 yards away.

A group of eleven caravans relocated from one end of Wellfield Road, in Hartley, Longfield to the other, after being moved on by police last week.

They are now based in the park on Woodlands Avenue which is used by locals to walk their dogs as well as providing a cut through to the nearby woods.

One resident, who did not want to be named, says locals are keeping clear of the facilities after the caravans appeared.

“The same day the police moved them on they just drove 200 years and cut the lock off the gate of the park,” he said.

“The land has been ruined and churned to mud. There is so much rubbish around and the many fox families seem to have been chased out by the travellers’ nine dogs, who are running free constantly.”

He added: “People have been unable to use the park with their kids as normal.

“Residents are also unable to use the footpaths around the park, which are used by the disabled and those using wheelchairs and scooters, because of all the vans and caravans in the way.

“They are also unable to cut through the park to get to the estate on the opposite side estate.”

The resident says the biggest disruption is to dog owners who use the park and surrounding woods.

“No residents have been able to use the popular dog route and location at any time. Dogs have had to steer well clear on walks, including my own, due to their own dogs running loose.”

And he feels more needs to be by those in authority to clamp down on the travellers.

He said: “They have been left to their own devices completely despite breaking onto the park by cutting the padlock and have not even been approached to any of our knowledge by the council, MP or police since the move.”

The travellers first appeared on a grass verge on the edge of Ash Road last week having previously been moved on from Swanley.

When approached by Kent Online the Police and Sevenoaks Council said the land was owned by Hartley Parish Council who were dealing with the issue.

Hartley Parish Council declined to comment.