Travellers who took over a Marlow park over the weekend left “a chain of destruction” in their wake, according to the town council who helped evict the group.

Around 12 caravans and other vehicles arrived on Seymour Court Recreation Ground on Thursday evening, with Marlow Town Council reporting a locked gate had been forced open as they gained access.

Police then issued a 24-hour eviction notice on Friday afternoon alongside the council.

Mayor Bob Johnson said the travellers – believed to be the same group that set up camp near the Marlow Club the previous week – left the park on Saturday night.

But he said the “unpleasant waste” left behind incurred a costly clean-up process over the weekend.

And although the cost has not been confirmed, Cllr Johnson said the authority were forced to dip into reserves to pay for the clean-up and repairs to its land.

He said: “I would like to thank the Police on behalf of the Community and all at the Town Council for the professional way in which they handled this eviction.

“It is an unfortunate aftermath of Travellers, the chain of destruction they create, smashing the lock and chain on the gate to gain access, damaging fencing and the play area, not to mention the unpleasant waste left everywhere.

“This was all carried out in a very professional manner, but at a price. Though we do have a contingency amount, we do not budget for such destructive influences on our properties. And the costs incurred to effect this speedy clean up and to secure the park, will have to be found from reserves.

“Although as a Council we do budget for contingencies, costs such as this are not included.

“We will be conducting a complete review of our public areas, to ensure that we are as secure as possible from such invasions happening again."