Around 20 caravans are currently parked up on land used for boot fairs after "breaking in" last night.

Car boot businessman Mark Greenfield who rents the field near Upnor confirmed he is aware members of the travelling community are on the site and is working to get them removed.

He said: "I am doing everything I can. A couple of years ago, they did the same thing and a section 61 was put in place. I am trying to get this again."

A section 61 gives police the power to tell an encampment to leave once certain conditions are met.

Mark claims the travellers were pitched up on Darnley Road before moving to the land off Anthony's Way yesterday. Four originally arrived in the night but there are now around 20.

He added: "We came over about 8 or 9pm. My wife tried to stop them coming in through the gate and I was talking to them in the field.

"But here they are, they are making it their home. It is ruining my business."

Mark runs a car boot fair every Sunday on the land which he said will not be able to go ahead if the caravans are not moved on.

"All I need is a police officer to put a section 61 in place," he said. "I am just sat over here looking at them.

"I had cement bollards and they pulled them out the way to get through the gates and made out the farmer let them in.

"I am waiting for them to drop rubbish everywhere and I will have to clean it up. That is what I have to put up with.

"This is a dog walking spot in the daytime but I have not seen any coming. I can imagine they are terrified."

Officers have attended the location and spoken with the landowner but a police spokesman said: "Unauthorised encampments are a civil matter and the lead role for their management, and any eviction process, sits with the local authority and/ or landowner."

A spokesman for Medway Council also said it is down to the landowner to move the camp on.