MP Mark Reckless has called for urgent action to evict a group of travellers from the Strood market site as the second day of trade is affected.

Up to nine caravans turned up at the Commercial Road car park on Thursday, disrupting the market on Saturday and again today.

Today, managers have managed to set up all the permanent pitches but casual stallholders have not been able to trade because of the shortage of room.

Market traders had to set up their stalls around the caravans.

One trader, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "My main grievance is that they are stopping us from working. This is our livelihood. We wouldn't stop them from working.

"Everyone I've spoken to has said they are disgusted they can't be moved" - market trader, Anon

Mark Reckless has written to Cllr Peter Hicks, the portfolio holder for community safety, and stressed the need for action to be taken as swiftly as possible to move on the group.

He said: "This camp has caused considerable disruption not just to local residents, but to hard-pressed traders who use Strood market.

"The camp has now been in place for five days and there was no sign of council activity when I visited the site this morning to see what action was being taken to move these people on.

"It is completely unacceptable that so many local people and businesses are being inconvenienced by a small group of travellers who have camped illegally.

"Medway Council has had more than enough time to deal with this and the suggestion that the market should have closed on Saturday was completely unacceptable.

"I am calling on the portfolio holder to get a grip on this and evict these travellers as soon as possible.”

One trader said: "This is our busiest time of year.

"We are losing money. We pay rent all year to have a pitch here and they are stopping us from working.

"Why should we and the local people have to suffer? The market brings footfall into Strood and everyone I've spoken to has said they are disgusted they can't be moved."

She said she didn't have an issue with the travellers themselves as they had not caused any problems and they had agreed to stop the children playing near the stalls.

The trader said she is "infuriated" with the law that means the group cannot be moved on immediately. Any action to intervene will have to go through the courts.

It is believed the travellers arrived at around 8.30pm on Thursday night.

It is thought they are in the area because a relative is receiving treatment at Medway Maritime Hospital.

A Kent Police spokesman said: "Kent Police received reporters of travellers entering a car park off Commercial Road, Strood, on Thursday, November 27 at about 8.15pm.

"The encampment is on council-owned land so they will manage the process of serving eviction papers. Officers will provide appropriate support during this process".