Two police patrol cars were wrecked early today when revellers at an illegal rave rolled them down a hill.

Sussex Police were alerted to dozens of cars driving on to the South Downs at Woodingdean, near Brighton.

It is believed many of the partygoers had been moved on throughout the night from other rave sites, finally gathering on the Downs near Bexhill Road, Woodingdean.

Police took two patrol cars to try to disperse the crowd of 1,000 revellers but as they spoke with rave organisers, the cars were attacked and pushed down a hill.

A police spokesman said: "We had a problem with gatherings all evening and it looks as though many finally went to this site.

"These are very enterprising people. They all have mobile phones and can change venue at a moment's notice.

"When officers went along following a call at 4am a group wrecked two patrol cars by rolling them down a hill. The cars are complete write-offs.

"Attacking a police car is like attacking a fire engine or an ambulance. It could make all the difference in an emergency and this will cost the taxpayer a lot of money."

The damaged patrol cars were removed from the scene during the night.

Revellers began moving off the site after officers met with the rave organiser.

A local farmer, whose land was invaded by more than 1,000 people in the early hours, has claimed £400 damage was caused to his crops.

A police spokesman said: "The organiser faces investigation by police in connection with damage caused to vehicles and the farmer's property."