Travellers have been moved on from a park after residents complained about them setting up an unauthorised camp.

Brighton and Hove City Council, residents and police have been praised for acting quickly to move the group off the land at Happy Valley at Woodingdean, Brighton.

Like many residents, Angela Branney's heart sank when she heard travellers were setting up camp near her home.

She said: "I understand travellers need somewhere to go but Happy Valley is our local park.

"It is a lifeline for us because it is where we take our children and walk our dogs."

Several residents used cars to block the entrance to the land to stop the travellers moving on to it.

However, a group with 20 caravans managed to get on to the site.

Others were forced to wait in Falmer Road.

Residents contacted the police and Brighton and Hove City Council, who took steps to prevent the travellers from staying.

Mrs Branney said: "They arrived on Thursday evening and by Friday night they had gone, which was amazingly quick.

"The police acted really fast to put an order on them to leave within 24 hours.

"Afterwards, the place was a terrible mess with litter strewn everywhere but the council really got its act together and by Saturday night the whole site had been cleaned up beautifully. It was a fantastic job.

"I think it really showed the strength of the residents who went down there. Everyone seemed to act together for once and it was wonderful.

"We are really grateful to them and to our local councillors Dee Simpson and Geoff Wells, who worked very hard.

"I have spoken to a lot of people who use Happy Valley and we are all really grateful."

A council spokesman said: "We are pleased the residents are happy.

"We always aim to respond as quickly as possible."

A spokesman for the Friends, Families and Travellers Advice and Information Service in Brighton said: "We are unable to comment specifically on the incident that occurred at Woodingdean over the weekend as we are not in possession of all of the facts of the case."