Children as young as 10 were "attacked with rocks" while enjoying an American Football training session after travellers pitched up on their home turf.

Dozens of youngsters from Kent Phoenix AFC were reportedly targeted with stones at Shepway Green playing fields in Maidstone on Sunday, where they regularly come together and practice.

A group of travellers first set up camp on the site on Wednesday but the club were told by Maidstone Borough Council they would be moved in time for their weekend training session.

However, council chiefs then told the club on Saturday night the travellers in fact had leave to stay until Tuesday.

With the playing fields out of action as a result of their arrival, the club's under-11 side instead had to carry out its training session at the neighbouring youth and community centre, until they came under attack.

Director of coaching Ian Miles said: "The travellers had left a bit of a mess so we were sweeping up broken glass when a couple of lads decided to start throwing stones in our direction.

"They were defecating and generally being abusive and trying to goad us into a reaction so we decided it was in everyone's interest to move the kids away.

"It was not very nice for the children who felt intimidated and couldn't understand why they were having stones thrown at them.

"We're looking at developing the site into a community sports facility, but at the moment we can't be sure we won't have this kind of trouble again.

"We want to work with the council to find a solution because it's not pleasant for us or any of the community here."

A Kent Police spokesperson said: "Police were notified of an incident at 12.07pm on Sunday, June 3 that rocks had reportedly been thrown at children who were playing sports in a field off of Cumberland Avenue, Maidstone.

"Officers will be patrolling the area and have asked that anyone injured in the incident comes forward."

Maidstone Borough Council has been approached for comment.