Travellers have set up home in a former business yard off Bath Hard Lane, in the heart of Rochester.

Several caravans and their vehicles arrived in the yard earlier this week.

The yard, which is under the railway line and adjacent to Rochester Riverside regeneration area, is derelict, but its entrance is close to Rochester High Street

Medway Council was unaware the travellers had arrived until the Medway Messenger asked what steps were being taken to remove them.

A Medway Council spokesman said: “This is the first notification that the council has received that travellers are in this location. Officers will be investigating immediately and taking swift action to remove the travellers as appropriate, and in line with the relevant enforcement protocols."