Residents say they are "fed up" with travellers who are still on a green space despite being ordered to leave two weeks ago.

Around 20 caravans are pitched on Wombwell Park, Northfleet, even though the local authority handed them an eviction notice on August 12.

Gravesham council, which says it is working to move them on but is waiting on the courts, gave them until last Friday to quit the green space.

Colyer Road resident Anita Franks, whose garden backs onto the park, said residents in the surrounding area have had enough.

She said: "We are fed up. The kids come over and turn the outside tap on and help themselves. I have started charging them for water.

"We have got young kids driving the vehicles around the park, everywhere and hanging out the back of them. They just go around and around and around.

"We do not know when they are going to get off. When are the council going to get through to the court?

"It has been two weeks so far and nothing has happened. We have had toilet paper and sanitary towels getting into people's gardens. The park is being used as toilets it is disgusting.

"You would not believe it. People are fed up with it all. The council have been over and have emptied the bins. They have tried their hardest but it is still not enough."

Another resident, who wished to stay anonymous, said barbecues are going during the day, dogs running loose, rubbish bags everywhere and residents are being asked to let the visitors use their water.

"They have now been there longer than they should have been and nobody appears to be doing anything about it."

In a letter served to the group more than a week ago, Keith Moorhouse from the council's environmental protection team, said: "We have considered your reason(s) given for your presence on the land, namely visiting relatives, and it has been decided these are not sufficient for the council to tolerate your continued unauthorised occupation of the above land.

"I have therefore served with this letter a formal notice of direction to leave this land by 1pm on August 12 taking with you all your vehicles, caravans and other belongings.

"Furthermore, please ensure the site is clean and tidy when you depart. I trust that you will comply with these requirements and that the council will not be required to undertake enforcement action."

It is understood the group arrived on August 10 and was visited by the council – which owns the land – the following day.

The eviction notice was then issued on Friday, August 12 but there are still currently caravans pitched up across the park in Mitchell Avenue.

A council spokesman said last week: "We are taking all necessary steps to have this encampment moved on as soon as possible."

A police spokesman said this afternoon: "Kent Police is aware of an unauthorised encampment on Wombwell Park, Northfleet, and has been working with the landowner, Gravesham council, to assist where needed.

"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.

"In this instance, a Section 61 order was applied on August 22, instructing those present to leave by 9pm on Tuesday, August 23."

Meanwhile in Beechings Way Playing Fields, Gillingham, around 30 caravans have been pitched up since last Wednesday.

The invasion caused a psychic evening at Twydall Community Centre on Thursday night to be cancelled as organisers felt it was advisable given previous experience.