A council has agreed to a 'rare' move by providing a temporary pitch for members of the travelling community.

It comes after Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) evicted the group from land at Shorncliffe Heights in Folkestone on Monday.

The eviction followed complaints from neighbours who said they felt unsafe in their own homes.

But FHDC says it has now offered an alternative site for the travellers due to 'sensitive personal circumstances' so they can remain in the district.

The location of the temporary site has not been revealed by the authority.

Cllr David Monk, FHDC leader, said: "The council - working jointly with the police - evicted the illegal encampment at Shorncliffe Heights on Monday, December 16.

"We have followed the correct legal processes to ensure its removal from the site, and are taking steps to protect the site from future incidents.

"This is an extremely unusual case where sensitive personal circumstances have resulted in extended members of a traveller family visiting our district.

"To diffuse the tense situation at this site and achieve the voluntary eviction and - in line with advice from the police - we have taken the rare decision to offer an alternative site for temporary time-limited occupation.

"We recognise this is not ideal, and discussions are ongoing."

Before their stay at Shorncliffe Heights, the group had pitched up outside The Range in Folkestone.

This week, caravans have also been reported in Fort Road, Hythe, but FHDC confirmed this was not the location of the alternative site.

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