People living near a field where a traveller camp arrived almost three weeks ago say they have become “unbearable to live with”, with one claiming they’ve had several soiled nappies dumped in their garden.

Caravans have been parked on the playground next to Laburnum Road Recreation Ground in Strood since June 8.

Those who live nearby say there are now around 20 vans there, and the vehicles are spread from the top to the bottom of the green.

Children are also reportedly driving vehicles directly through the play park, which has only recently been installed.

There have also been reports that a number of dogs are off the lead, roaming around the park.

One person, whose garden backs onto the green, said scrap metal has been dumped on the field and it has become a “no-go area”.

They said: “They’re just kind of moving around the field, some of them left at one point but more then came back.”

Residents say they are having to put up with barking dogs and music being played throughout the day and into the evening.

Another person who lives nearby, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “The situation has become unbearable to live with.

“The travellers have generators running outside my house all night which affects our sleep – they shout, swear, play amplified music without a care for any residents.

“Regardless of what some may say about them being respectful, I have not seen any evidence of this.

“They overlook my garden and we have no privacy. We have not even able able to enjoy the summer in our garden because of the intrusion. Our personal lives have been affected in a big way.”

The resident said they have had several soiled nappies, old shoes, and other rubbish thrown into their garden on a daily basis.

They continued: “The group are utterly disrespectful and the council and the police have not done enough to attempt to remove them.

“It is illegal for them to be on the grounds, so it is beyond me why they are still there after almost four weeks.”

Ian Gilmore, head of regulatory and environmental services at Medway Council, said: "We are aware of the group and will be following a civil legal process to move them on."