A GROUP of travellers were forced to move on within 24 hours from a site in Sheepcote Valley following complaints from a residents' group.

Members of the Friends of Sheepcote Valley alerted police within hours of the ten caravans moving on to the site on Wednesday morning.

Residents said they were concerned about the amount of litter that had appeared in the area since the arrival of the group from Woodingdean.

The travellers were immediately served notice to leave the site within 24 hours under the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act.

The group of families duly left the valley of their own accord yesterday.

Coun Catherine Shelley, of Marine ward, said: "I fully support the right of anyone to go about their life as and how they choose and support the right of the travellers to a site at Horsdean.

"But that right ends when anyone starts to cause nuisance, hassle or pain to others in the community.

"The apparent disregard for the environment and other users of the valley shown by this group, both here and in Woodingdean, means that they have to move on."

It is understood the travellers were escorted to an authorised site in another part of Sussex.

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