Travellers who moved on to a sheltered quarry site are being allowed to stay there during the summer.

At least 20 caravans and other vehicles moved on to the site at the top of Mill Road, Lewes, after lifting a gate off its hinges.

But, instead of moving the group on, Brighton-based owners Davenport Properties agreed they could stay over the summer so long as they maintain the site, do not annoy neighbours, keep the noise down and stop it from getting overcrowded.

Delighted, one of the travellers said: "You don't often find such tolerant people.

"We'll remain for a little while but who knows how long."

The owners say the convoy can stay until their second application for storage and a warehouse on the site to Lewes District Council is completed.

While most nearby residents say they have not had any problems with their new neighbours, they are worried about the influx of traffic in the steep narrow road.

Stella Dodd, of Mill Road, said: "So far it's been OK apart from the to-ing a fro-ing of cars up and down the road but we don't want more to come up and then stay here for ever more."

Bridget Rose, 54, thinks the private road from the other side of the site should be used to limit the traffic, while Jerry Simcock, 50, said: "I've had a few conversations with them and they've been no trouble at all."

John Beck, who has lived there for 40 years, said: "They just seem to be genuine people who'd just like to lead an alternative life-style."

Davenport Properties, which has three well-known Albion supporting businessmen, Peter McDonnell, Ted Ratcliffe, Chris Gargan and former Brighton and Hove City councillor Mark Barnard, as its financial backers, had a previous application for the site rejected.

Mr Barnard said the travellers would not have got in if the first application was approved.

Mr McDonnell said: "We were a bit annoyed when we discovered how they got in. But they seem desperate to stay because there's no official site for travellers in Lewes.

"They're a decent bunch and they've already started to clear up the site.

"When we heard of their difficulties we decided to allow them to stay."

Mr Ratcliffe said: "It would cost us between £4,000 and £5,000 in legal fees to get the travellers off our land and it might take weeks.

"We've come to an agreement they can stay for the summer providing they keep the site nice, don't create a lot of litter and leave the quarry in a better condition than they found it."