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Locals have been left furious after Travellers have created plots at 'beauty spot' leaving those who live nearby 'literally distraught'.

Several sites across southern England have been inhabited by Travellers since the Easter weekened, with outrage from residents and members of the council.

One of the green spaces taken over by the unathorised arival of Travellers in a four-acre site at Alfold in Surrey.

Following an emergency application to the High Court, an interim injunction has been issued ordering the Travellers not to further develop their camp ahead of another court hearing.

Resolving the disputes is a complex process and planning issue as the Travellers say they own the land. However, it has been argued they did not have planning permission to set up their new community.

Michael Lord, chair of Alfold Parish Council, said: "Everyone is watching the Travellers with eagle eyes - if they try to deliver more static caravans, that will be a material breach of the court-ordered injunction and the police could get involved."

According to locals, 17 plots and roughly half a dozen static caravans are at the site. Residents have also said that 'stop notices' issued by the borough council ahead of the interim injunction were ignored.

Surrey residents said that since the arrival, there have been works carried out around the clock, with lorries arriving unloading pipes, woods, steel and other supplies.

Mr Lord said: "Nobody knows for sure when the Travellers bought the land, but we think it was sold by a property developer in the last few weeks. If somebody else owns it, they likely [would] have piped up.

"The interim injunction means nothing further can take place on that land. A Stop Notice is only issued by the borough council and has less weight than a court judgment.

"Technically, now if the Travellers continue, that could be criminal. In theory, they could be fined or arrested.

"Everyone in the village is very, very upset. People living within 100 meters of the entrance are literally distraught. They're fearful and feel intimidated.

"All over the Easter weekend, there were bright lights, generators running all day and all night. Building work from early in the morning until late at night."

A hearing will be held on April 21, in which the Travellers can present their case for moving onto the land.

Other areas in Kent and Hertfordshire also saw people occupy them over the Easter weekend.

It is the statutory responsibility of councils in England to assess the accommodation necessary for Gypsies and Travellers and identify land for sites to meet their needs, aiming to reduce unauthorised developments.

A spokesperson for Surrey Police said: "We are aware of a large number of vehicles and people on a site on Loxwood Road in Alford.

"We have visited the area along with Waverley Borough Council to engage with those at the site, as well as local residents.

"No criminal offences have been identified by police. The development of the site is a planning permission issue, which is being led by Waverley Borough Council."