Travellers have been given 24 hours to leave a beauty spot at Burgess Hill.

If families fail to comply they will be forced off fields at Leylands Road after Mid Sussex District Council obtained an eviction order against them yesterday.

At one point last week, about 45 caravans and trailers were at the site. Most have moved on but eight families remain.

Neighbours who have complained of mess and noise welcomed the news.

Barbara Stone and her husband Allan, who live in Chestnut Close, said: "It has just been disgusting. They arrived and I could hear all this shouting and screaming late at night."

Council officials asked the travellers to leave but obtained the order after many refused to go.

If they refuse to move, bailiffs will move in tomorrow.

Traveller Tom Ward, 30, who has been staying on the site with his wife and three daughters, said: "People say travellers have torn this town apart but we have not.

Council solicitor Andrew Eaton said: "We have had cases of travellers here like most boroughs. The problem is not unique."