A pub is closed until further notice after it was left "overwhelmed" by hundreds of travellers last night.

The Port Arms in Deal called for police backup after its staff could not handle the numbers.

The establishment has since been left with vandalised flower displays and smashed glass and playing cards strewn across the floor.

Landlady Nikki Pooke has taken the decision to close the pub day and says she will review the matter over the weekend.

It comes after caravans and campervans pitched up on the grassed area next to Deal Castle yesterday.

She said: "There's no serious damage, just the flower pot and brackets and one chair. It was just overwhelming, that amount of people.

"One minute there was 20 of them and then the next the minute the whole sea front was covered in cowboy hats. They were all wearing cowboy hats. There were between 100 and 200 of them."

Mrs Pooke stopped serving alcohol at 8.30pm, two hours earlier than usual while police - who reportedly arrive in riot vans - helped to escort them away from the pub.

Neighbouring pub The Kings Head has cancelled its weekend entertainment as a result of the incident.

Manager Jamie Cavell said he instructed his door security to only permit regular and B&B customers.

But when the mood became "hostile" around 7.30pm, he shut the doors and the pub went into lock down.

Staff from the Port Arms were also sent into the pub, away from the incident.

He said: "They were all in cowboy hats, screaming and hollering. The boys whistling at the girls.

"They were standing in the road, getting in the way of cars.

"All our customers decided to go because it was getting quite hostile.

"We shut the doors at 7.30pm and had the pub on lock down.

"We've cancelled our entertainment for the weekend and the pub is open for dining and residents only."

It's understood that police attended the scene around 8pm and maintained a presence until about 2am when the travellers were led back to their homes.

Mr Cavell, who has been working at the pub for five years, added: "It's the first time I've ever seen anything to this extent in Deal."

A police spokesman said: "Kent Police were called at 7.23pm yesterday to a report a group of people causing a disturbance in the High Street area of Deal.

"Officers attended and dispersed the group.

"The patrols also liaised with licensed premises in the area and a number of them took the decision to close earlier to prevent possible breaches of the peace."

A spokesman for English Heritage, who own the land next to the castle, said: “We can confirm that a number of unauthorised vehicles have moved onto land adjacent to Deal Castle.

"We have spoken to the people concerned to ask them to move and will start legal proceedings if necessary."

A spokesman for KCC’s Gypsy and Traveller Unit said: “The responsibility for taking action to deal with illegal encampments lies with the relevant landowners, who can be private individuals, companies, district councils or, in this case, English Heritage.

“We are happy to assist with advice on the correct legal process and, of course, we do take appropriate action when the encampments are on KCC land such as country parks and highway verges.”

Travellers also remain on Dover District Council owned land in Kingsdown Road, Walmer. They arrived last Friday.

A Dover District Council spokesman said: "We are working with our partners at Kent Police and English Heritage regarding travellers in the Deal and Walmer area.

"We are following due legal process, and DDC has served notice on travellers at Walmer Green to vacate the site. Partners are working together regarding Deal Castle car park and land seaward side of the castle."

Read more: All the latest news from Deal