Travellers have moved from a recreational ground after two weeks of "noise, mess and anti-social behaviour" only for another open space to be illegally occupied.

Residents in Sandown Road, Singlewell, had their evening interrupted when a number of caravans entered the Hever Farm field at 9pm yesterday.

One homeowner said: "Last night I came home from a dance class and I could see all these bright lights coming from the field behind my house.

"It was really scary. All I could hear were loud generators. There are no toilet facilities so what are they going to do?

"The field is a shortcut for many children going to the Singlewell Primary School. This morning, along with their mums, they had to walk the really long way round by the main road.

"Their presence is making me not want to leave my house."

The group of 20 or so travellers arrived shortly after a similar-sized group was moved on from St Gregory's recreational ground, less than two miles away in Gravesend, after a court yesterday ordered their removal.

Kent Police and Gravesham Borough Council were made aware of that encampment on Wednesday, August 24.

Today, residents of St Gregory's Crescent were clearing the rubbish left behind.

One woman, who was clearing crates and food debris from outside her back fence, said: "Helicopters usually land here if there is an emergency.

"When the caravans were here they could not do that.

"It was horrible. They came in, and lived here how they wanted ever since.

"I'm cleaning up what I can before the council gets here. Dogs could choke if they try to eat anything.

"It isn't fair on us residents. It smells because they have left food waste and it is attracting foxes and rats.

"I'm just doing what I can. Hopefully they won't return."

A 68-year-old who lives in sheltered housing flats near the park was left feeling uncomfortable with the travellers around.

He said: "I don't think they were being deliberately anti-social, however they were really noisey, they left loads of rubbish and people felt intimidated trying to use the grounds.

"There was a caravan right outside my flat and they had two dogs that were constantly barking.

"All I could hear through my window were the generators and shouting."

He said the behaviour of children from the camp had stopped local children from playing in the park.

He added: "They'd shout at anyone who walked past, it felt very intimidating.

"Where I live there are pensioners under constant care, they didn't want this disruption. St Gregory's Crescent is usually really quiet.

"We wouldn't mind if the caravan owners came, kept to themselves and cleaned their rubbish up to some extent.

"But they've just left the park in an absolute mess."

Council workers began cleaning up the rubbish this morning.

Every summer streams of caravans pitch up without warning on various parks, grass verges and other green spaces throughout Kent.

It forms part of a nomadic tradition – protected under human rights law – dating back centuries in which members of the Gypsy, Romany and Traveller community observe a life spent largely on the road.

But their presence – when not on one of the county's designated but dwindling sites – often prompts an angry backlash from residents.

Gravesham council said it was aware of the new unlawful encampment at Hever Farm, but was unable to confirm if it was the same group of travellers from St Gregory's recreational ground.

A spokesman said: "Council officers are on site this morning and will be serving a notice requiring those on site to leave today.

"If this is not adhered to, we will apply to the courts for the necessary legal notices to move the group on.”

Police also confirmed they were called.

A spokesman said: "Police were called at 9.05pm on Monday, September 5, to a report of an unauthorised encampment near Codrington Crescent, Gravesend.

"Officers also received reports of criminal damage to a gate. They attended the area, however no visible damage was seen. Police will work with the landowner, Gravesham council, to assist if required."

On Wednesday September 7, Gravesham council confirmed a court hearing was being held regarding the encampment on Hever Farm recreation ground.

Update on September 9: Hever Farm recreational ground has now been cleared and travellers are no longer at the site.