Police have admitted they are powerless to deal with a group of travellers who have moved onto a village playground.

But officers have vowed to mount extra patrols in Nightingale Road, Kemsing to allay residents fears.

Police said they were aware of the encampment but stressed it was 'down to the council' to start eviction proceedings.

The site lies within Sevenoaks district, with the land owned by Kemsing Parish Council.

The encampment is the latest in a series of incursions by travellers in Kemsing.

In December 2016 residents claimed bicycles had been stolen and waste strewn across the same playing field.

Villagers have taken to social media to voice fears of a repeat.

Bruce Gerhasey tweeted: "Hoards of travellers descend on Kent village playground again after council spend over £250k in barricades and they just bypass them all to set up illegal camp.

"Kemsing residents in fear of the same problems as last time of theft, rubbish, human waste and crime."

A police spokesman said: "An unauthorised encampment on private land is subject to the laws of trespass, which is a civil matter. Police can however visit an unauthorised encampment and, in some circumstances, use emergency powers called a Section 61 order to direct people to leave."