An American Football training session has been cancelled after travellers pitched up on a club's home turf.

About 50 players, aged from seven to 18, from Kent Phoenix AFC were meant to train at Shepway Green playing fields in Maidstone tomorrow, where they regularly come together and practice.

However, the club has been told a group of travellers have set up camp on the site, after arriving yesterday.

It comes just three months after dozens of youngsters from the club were reportedly "attacked with rocks" during a training session after travellers had pitched up on the same piece of land.

Club chairman Lee Parsons said: "We've had to cancel Sunday's session.

"We have only been at Shepway Green since April and this is the second time travellers have turned up and taken over the field.

"The best scenario for us is that the council does something to restrict vehicle access to the green, as that would deter them."

Mr Parsons said he had been trying to get hold of Maidstone Borough Council to move the travellers on, but he had not yet had a response.

Maidstone Borough Council has been contacted for comment.