Fly-tippers and Travellers who dump rubbish could be targeted by on-the-spot fines, according to a Sussex MP.

Mid Sussex Conservative MP Nicholas Soames has also called for tougher powers for councils to shut down illegal camps of travellers.

He has written to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott after residents accused travellers of leaving rubbish across parts of Sussex.

He wants on-the-spot fines for those who dump waste and more government money for councils to install security cameras to catch fly-tippers in the act.

In the past month travellers have camped at sites in Malthouse Lane, Leylands Road and Cyprus Road, all in Burgess Hill. They have also been in East Grinstead.

Mid Sussex District Council expects to pay thousands of pounds on the clean-up operation after cars and rubbish was dumped.

Four cars were smashed, with one of them having rolled into a nearby stream.

Mr Soames said: "While it's clear Mid Sussex needs a more effective and robust plan to deal with unauthorised travellers, the events of recent weeks have shown the current legislation and guidance is wholly inadequate.

"It's important basic facilities are made available for travellers but anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated. The rights of local residents must be respected."

The Home Office has been consulting on draft guidance for dealing with travellers.

Mr Soames' suggestions follow meetings with the business community, Mid Sussex District Council and West Sussex County Council.

The Brighton-based Friends, Families and Travellers Advice and Information Unit has blamed the problems on a shortage of official sites for travellers.

The Adversane site near Billingshurst was closed in 2000. West Sussex County Council is inviting the public's views on its strategy for dealing with travellers.

People can write in with comments on proposals, which include keeping open the 12 authorised residential sites for travellers in West Sussex and providing more if needed.

The responsibility for evicting unauthorised intruders will belong to the county secretary, working with police. Travellers could also be relocated to an official site.

Copies of the strategy are available in West Sussex libraries.

Comments should be sent by November 1 to John Godfrey, head of secretariat, West Sussex County Council, County Hall, Chichester, PO19 1RQ.