ARMED police cleared a group of travellers after 27 members of staff at a factory were forced to barricade themselves inside their workplace.

The company, Sarena Plastics, on the former Beechings industrial estate at Gillingham, suffered thousands of pounds worth of damage.

The staff called for help when they were attacked by catapult-firing children.

Peter Rogers, the firm's managing director, said: "We barricaded ourselves in because kids were walking around with catapults, firing at windows and anyone coming outside."

An armed policewoman was among a group of officers who gave the travellers minutes to clear off from outside Sarena Plastics in Bredgar Road. There were no arrests.

Fay Coffin, of Medway Council, said the the authority understood the frustration of businesses and residents. She added: "We are investigating how we can improve security there. The council is also trying to set up a meeting with Serena Plastics to talk about the issues."