Newly planted winter flowers have been dragged out of their beds in a town centre park during a time when travellers set up on the field.

Tyre marks were seen across one of the larger flower beds, directly outside the new cafe, The Lodge, within Radnor Park in Folkestone.

Shepway District Council (SDC) said it has "no evidence" that the damage was caused by the travellers' vehicles.

One resident reported seeing a yellow transit van crossing the field on Monday from the Cheriton Road side, which also has flowerbeds on the outskirts.

A group of nine caravans congregated on the green space on Friday night and left on Tuesday afternoon.

There were no reports of anti-social behaviour, but council officers ordered the group to move on because they were "trespassing".

The winter plants were put in by council workers on Thursday, October 13.

An SDC spokesman said: “Cars and other vehicles are generally not allowed on Radnor Park unless there is an event, like a boot fair, and we have given permission.

"When vehicles are allowed there, we would expect them gain access through approved routes and not drive straight across our flower beds.

"We have only just put winter bedding plants in there and it is a shame that this bed will now need replanting.”

“Although we have no evidence that this damage was caused by travellers’ vehicles which arrived at Radnor Park recently, we will pursue matters if residents have any information they can give us.”