A town council is in the process of evicting a group of travellers who have set up camp on a town green.

The illegal encampment has been in place on land in Hawkinge, between Haven Drive and Hurricane Way, for around a week.

Complaints have been made to the town council and police, and have also appeared on social media.

On Wednesday, members of Hawkinge Town Council attended court and obtained a Possession Order, giving the group 24 hours to leave the site.

The order was served to the travellers yesterday morning.

The order warned that if the 24 hour period notice was ignored the council would seek support from the High Court.

A spokesman for the town council said today: "Hawkinge Town Council is progressing the repossession of the above land through the courts.

"The order for possession was served on May 9, 2019.

"In the event that the occupiers do not vacate the land within the 24 hour period the council will seek to enforce the order by way of a warrant for possession by transferring the matter to the High Court for enforcement by the High Court Enforcement Officer and obtaining a writ of possession.

"Once the order has been issued the High Court enforcement Officer can enforce the order immediately without notice.

"This should happen within a matter of days."

Officers from Kent Police were seen at the site yesterday. A spokesman said: "Kent Police is aware of an unlawful encampment in Hawkinge and officers have been liasing with the landowner, who is responsible for an eviction, at that location near Haven Drive."

This is not the first time travellers have pitched up in the district.

Hythe Town Council issued a court order after a group set up camp in Horn Street last month.

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