Travellers who set up camp at a popular playing field have moved on following an order from the council.

Around 20 caravans set up camp on the sports pitches between Brishing Lane and Bicknor Road in Park Wood after metal railings protecting the boundary of the field were cut.

Maidstone Borough Council also ordered for a group of travellers in Shepway to leave the site on Cumberland Avenue following their arrival on Monday night.

Despite the section 77 order requiring them to leave the common by 4.30pm, around 50 travellers remained at the site and were still encamped on Wednesday morning.

A spokesperson for Maidstone Borough Council stated: “We are pleased to inform residents that the Parkwood Recreation Ground has now been vacated as requested.

“The unauthorised occupants left on Tuesday afternoon following a Section 77 being served upon the persons on site.

“We have started the cleaning process to remove any waste left behind and will make repairs to the fencing that was damaged as a result of gaining access to the grounds.”