Travellers escaped eviction by leaving just one day before officers were due to remove them from their camp.

The travelling group have moved on from Wild Park in Brighton and made their way to a new encampment at Stanmer Park.

The group of travellers moved from the Moulescoomb site over the weekend to a new pitch on land in Stanmer.

Brighton and Hove City Council officials visited the site with police and are currently undertaking a community impact assessment to determine the most appropriate course of action.

A council spokesman said: “The group of travellers moved of their own accord over the weekend.

“They were due to be evicted at 9am on Monday as we obtained a possession order for the land in the county court.

“Eviction notices were served on March 20.”

Some residents expressed concern over the gate at Wild Park – which had previously been opened after the travellers’ unauthorised arrival for health and safety reasons.

But the council assured it has been closed and a council spokesman said: “We checked with our team and the gate has been locked. We visited the site again yesterday to double check but the gate is still locked.”

A group of van dwellers moved onto land adjacent to Lynchet Close on the weekend of March 15 after vacating land in Sheepcote Valley and land at 39 Acres.

There were approximately 24 lived-in vehicles on site following a joint visit by police and council officials.

Residents and business owners in Moulsecoomb previously told of the difficulties and frustrations they faced when dealing with previous encampments.

Rose Cresswell, 52, owner of Monroe’s Hair and Beauty Salon, said she saw a noticeable drop in footfall outside of her shop.