ANGRY residents have hit out at council chiefs for allowing Travellers to set up camps near two Brighton estates.

Travellers evicted from their site at Patcham yesterday have moved to sites close to Whitehawk and Moulsecoomb. Whitehawk residents have called a meeting tomorrow evening at the Valley Social Club at 7pm to discuss the arrivals at Brighton BMX track, off Wilson Avenue. And residents of Stanmer village are organising a petition to try to get travellers moved from Stanmer Park as quickly as possible. But Brighton and Hove Council leader Lord Bassam said: "We have made it clear that these sites are only short term and the travellers will be gone from these temporary sites by the end of May. "I understand how the residents feel. If they have any problems from the travellers they should get in touch with their local councillors." The site at Horsdean, Patcham, just north of the Brighton by-pass was cleared yesterday, leaving a sea of mud, broken down vehicles and rubbish. Bailiffs were sent in following the council's successful High Court action to throw them off the land. Two lorries, a caravan and a number of cars yesterday gathered at the Upper Lodges beauty spot on Ditchling Road. But today the group had moved illegally into a field next to Hollingbury Park Golf Club. Council chiefs have pledged firm action against any travellers who set up illegal camps.

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