Travellers who have moved on to prominent sites in Brighton and Hove will not be moved on.

Sites at Patcham Court Farm and in Crowhurst Road, Hollingbury, have been designated for short-term use by travellers, even though there is already an official site.

Trudy McGuigan, travellers liaison officer for Brighton and Hove City Council, authorised the use of the sites and said it had been done in line with council strategy and Government recommendations.

She said: "The council would be very unlikely to be awarded repossession if we brought a case to court."

Opposition Tory leader Geoffrey Theobald, who represents Patcham on the city council, said: "It is further proof this council is a soft touch for travellers."

The Tories have tabled a motion for a meeting on April 26, saying councillors, rather than an officer, should make the decision.

The motion adds: "To allow these travellers deliberately to break through locked gates and then be tolerated by council officers sends yet another welcome signal for travellers to descend upon our city from far and wide."

The Conservatives say if the camps are in line with the council's strategy, then that needs to be debated in full.

Brighton Pavilion Labour MP David Lepper said he was concerned there had not been enough consultation.

He said: "The council has been trying to market the site in Crowhurst Road for a regeneration project. When decisions like this are made, the local councillors and other council departments should be consulted."

Mr Lepper said other councils should be encouraged to house travellers so some of the pressure was taken off Brighton and Hove.

There is only one official travellers' site in Brighton at Horsdean, north of Patcham, with just 23 pitches.

Coun Carol Theobald said that site was overflowing with extra vehicles on the slip road leading to it.

A council spokeswoman said: "We are tolerating travellers on these sites but only in the short term pending a meeting with all interested parties.

"We hope this will be held the week after next and there will be talks about a long-term solution."