A group of travellers and their families who moved on to a car park in Burgess Hill are being evicted after they refused to go.

About a dozen caravans, trucks and cars moved on to the council-run site off Queen's Crescent on Tuesday and although Mid Sussex District Council immediately told them to go, the travellers are still there.

The group has taken up about half of the car park and although they have not left any rubbish or made much noise, council bosses are concerned people will stop using it and park elsewhere.

Drivers who would normally leave their cars there for the day while they catch the train to London or work in the town centre have already been boycotting it since parking charges went up in April and parking in residential streets.

John Pegler, director of leisure and property, said yesterday: "The travellers have been served notice to quit the car park which as of today they have not done.

"An application is being made to the county court to get an eviction notice.

"At this time the situation is not affecting the numbers of those using the car park although the situation is undesirable and efforts are being made to remove the travellers."

One woman, who lives opposite the car park and did not wish to be named said: "I don't like it. I pay £70 a month council tax and I doubt they pay a penny.

Another neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "There is not really a lot you can say, they are just there.

"We have not really had any problems but it is the drivers who normally park there who I feel sorry for." The travellers declined to comment.