A group of travellers have been moved on by police after pitching up at a play park.

Sevenoaks council was first made aware of an unauthorised encampment in Hollybush Recreation Ground, Sevenoaks, earlier this week.

Council officers, along with police, attended the site on Monday and served a notice for their removal the same day.

As of today, it is understood all the caravans which illegally settled at Hollybush have now moved on.

Sevenoaks MP Laura Trott said: “I know this will be a huge relief for local residents and those who use the site - especially families.

“I would like to say a huge thank you to the residents who last night helped clear up the mess that was left, as well as to Kent Police and Sevenoaks council for their prompt and effective action in moving the individuals on.

“It is clear following both the recent incursion in Swanley and now this one in Sevenoaks, that the new powers provided by the Government through The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 are working - and that the police can now clear such illegal encampments much quicker than before.

She added: “Accessing and occupying private land is a criminal offence and there is no place for anti social behaviour in our community.”

In an update posted online this morning, Sevenoaks council said it was now working to clean up the area and “fix any damage”.

The recreation ground received an £85,000 refurbishment last year, led by the council, which included installing new play equipment such as a tree top canopy tube slide, new swings, and a seesaw.

A police spokesman said: “A traveller incursion was reported to us at 11.30am on 26 June.

“The matter was dealt with by the local council, which issued them notice to leave. The travellers had left by the morning of 28 June.”