A parkrun has been cancelled after a group of Travellers pitched up along the route.

Tomorrow’s 5km in Sittingbourne, which takes place at Milton Creek Country Park at 9am every Saturday, has been called off by organisers.

This is due to around 30 vehicles being parked up on the green where the route begins – the entrance near Holy Trinity Church.

Parkrun organisers announced their decision at around 7.20pm yesterday (Thursday), in a statement on social media.

It said: “After conversations and deliberations with the landowners and parkrun ambassadors, we have made the tough decision to cancel Saturday’s parkrun as the Travelling community are on the green and part of our parkrun route.”

Runners were directed to other nearby parkruns - at Maidstone, Mote Park, Great Lines and Minster.

The Travellers have been at the Green Flag park since around 6pm on Sunday.

Previously, they had been pitched at Milton Regis Recreation Ground, where they had been since Monday, May 26.

Read more: The powers authorities have to stop unauthorised Traveller encampments in Kent

A Swale council spokesman said: “The council is aware of the situation and is taking appropriate action.”

Residents took to social media after they had left Milton Rec, claiming the Travellers had left rubbish behind.

One neighbour, who did not want to be named, told KentOnline it was “disgraceful”.