Traveller camp prompts Sevenoaks schools closure - Kent

From This Is Kent

TWO nursery schools have closed their doors and sent their children home this afternoon after Travellers set up camp in their car park.

Sevenoaks Day Nursery and Hollybush Montessori School in Crampton's Road, Bat and Ball, said they would not reopen until the caravans have gone.

The decision to close followed a flare-up earlier today between Travellers and parents over a dog that was running amok.

The schools say their playgrounds have also been ransacked and the children's toys taken since the first caravans started to appear on Sunday.

Teacher Vicky Lockyer said: "They told us they would be leaving soon but, instead, more caravans are arriving – there are now eight.

"We've tried to carry on as usual, even though our children can't play outside and most of their toys have been taken, but tensions are mounting and it's better that we close until this is resolved."

The land's owner, Sevenoaks Town Council, plans to serve eviction notices on the Travellers tomorrow with a view to the caravans being gone by the end of the week.