caravan owners have won their battle against a ban on using their holiday homes.

They had been told they could not use the Golden Sands site in Brighton Road, Lancing, because of health and safety fears.

Adur District Council, which is trying to sell the site, said there was a fire risk because some of the 96 homes were too close together and there were problems with wiring.

Plot holders, many of whom use their caravans as their sole residence in the UK, were appalled at the thought of being locked out all summer.

They launched a campaign to persuade the council to let them back in and began sending a solicitor's letter to individual councillors demanding compensation for being excluded from their homes.

Now members of the council's housing and central services committee have decided to let residents back in, as long as the site's electricity is turned off.

Plot holders are not supposed to reoccupy the caravans until a set of rules about the use of the site has been negotiated in ten days' time.

Dave Batchelor, a gas engineer, said there was "jubilation" among caravan owners.

He added: "It has been a long battle. It has caused a lot of unnecessary stress and expense."

Mr Batchelor understood the council would provide facilities for caravan owners to re-charge batteries and allow them to use gas cylinders.

Chris Jones, chairman of the Golden Sands residents' and licensees' association, warned there was a long way to go as the terms had to be negotiated.

He said: "They're going to let us back on for the moment.

"It is all up in the air. Our solicitor thinks we should be getting damages from the council for not occupying our homes." Mr Jones was due to meet council officers today.

The site is expected to be put on the market within a few weeks.

Sarah Garbutt, of Adur District Council, said: "The licensees, the committee and ourselves will be discussing licence conditions. After the ten days, if everybody is in agreement, they will be allowed back in until October 31."