A group of travellers have been served a notice to leave council land after around half a dozen caravans were spotted pitched up at a park.

The encampment is thought to have arrived on Monday evening at the playing fields off Oxley Shaw Lane, in Leybourne.

Pictures show around six caravans near the top of the site, known locally as the Bomb Hole, along with multiple cars and vans.

Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council owns the land and has now served the group with a Section 77 notice, giving them until tomorrow afternoon to leave the site.

Police officers attended the scene at around 5.40pm on Monday and confirmed they are working with the local authority who owns the land.

A spokesman for Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council said: “We are aware of the unlawful encampment at Oxley Shaw, Leybourne, and would like to assure nearby residents that we are actively working with Kent Police to get the caravans moved on as soon as possible.”

Leybourne Parish Council told residents discussions are ongoing with council leader Matt Boughton (Con) and a section 61 notice could be sought.

The notice gives police the power to tell an encampment to leave once certain conditions are met but can only be issued to those present at the time.

The group’s arrival comes at the same time as two groups in Singlewell, Gravesend, and Riverside Country Park, Gillingham.

They are also believed to have parked up over the bank holiday weekend.

Last week, a group of travellers caused concern after pitching up alongside a main road in Hartley village.

The chairman of Leybourne Parish Council has been liasing with the borough council and police on how to proceed following the arrival of this latest encampment.