Travellers moved onto a field next to Riverside Country Park last night.

A group of around 30 caravans moved onto a field in Lower Rainham Road, near West Motney Way, last night.

The field is usually used by dog walkers and visitors to Riverside Country Park.

Maz Laban lives next to the field and said he tried to stop the group from moving in by standing in front of one of their cars.

He called the police but was forced to move out of the way before they arrived.

The 50-year-old claims one of the travellers tried to run him over.

“They cut open a big padlock on the gate to break into the site," Mr Laban said.

“The gate only gets opened once a year for the grass to be cut.

“They were shouting and screaming and hurling abuse at me.

"I stood in front of one of the cars and they kept going. I've hurt my knee and my feet were stung by stinging nettles."

He said they also had dogs and horses roaming around the field.

Mr Laban added: “It’s like we’re living in a prison. We’ve had to close all of our blinds.

“We are surrounded by them.”

Cllr David Carr, ward councillor for Rainham North, said: “Medway Council are on the case and are trying to obtain a court order to evict them.”

He added that, apart from breaking onto the site and reportedly injuring Mr Laban, the group seem to be peaceful.

Cllr Martin Potter, who is also a Rainham North ward councillor, said: “We have had assurances from Kent Police that they will continue to patrol the area. We are working to restore the field to it’s country park status.”