Budding young footballers were left disappointed at the weekend when their training at a Maidstone sports field was cancelled - because travellers had hung their washing to dry on the goalposts.

The travellers set up camp on the green space between Brishing Lane and Bicknor Road, Park Wood, known as Park Wood Recreation Ground, at about 5.30pm on Friday, moving six caravans and a lorry onto the grass.

This morning clothing could be seen hanging from a washing line between the woodwork.

A father of two, who asked not to be named, was due to run a training session with a number of children, aged six to eight, on Saturday morning.

The 37-year-old said: "I coach at a nearby team and I do a bit of coaching for my own boys and a couple of others on a Saturday or Sunday morning.

"We turned up on Saturday to find there was washing hung across the goal and we couldn't play.

"It's a shame because most clubs have finished training for the season so this is the only chance they'll get to do a bit extra now. We'll have to find somewhere else to train if they're still there next weekend, this was just a bit unexpected."

John Gregory, who used to live nearby and spotted the makeshift washing line this morning when he returned to visit friends, said: "I thought it was hilarious. All my friends were laughing too, we were in fits."

The land is owned by Maidstone Borough Council and a spokesman said police had issued an order saying all the vehicles must be gone by 6pm today (Monday).

A police spokesman confirmed officers had issued the dispersal order at 12.30pm today.