A council frustrated by travellers who pitched up on playing fields will apply for a court order to have them removed.

Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council served a notice to the travellers at the Recreational Ground in Eccles just before noon on Tuesday.

The group of travellers have not left the site off Bull Lane and an application has been made to Maidstone Magistrates’ Court in a bid to move them on.

A spokesman said: “On Tuesday the council carried out the required welfare assessments and a notice under Section 77 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 has been served upon the occupiers of the Eccles encampment.”

A copy was left at the gate entrance at 11.55pm. It required them to leave the land. If they failed to comply with the notice the council would make an application to the Magistrates Court for an Order for removal of the occupants and their vehicles.

The group of travellers pitched up at the playing fields off Bull Lane in Eccles on Saturday at around 5pm.