Farmers, politicians and police today demanded an end to raves which damage the countryside and disturb residents.

The call follows the event on Newmarket Hill, above Woodingdean, which lasted from 1am until 11am yesterday.

More than 1,000 clubbers, travellers, students and music fans gathered on farmland.

Two police patrol cars each worth £15,000, a Toyota Avensis and a Vauxhall Astra, were badly damaged when revellers pushed them down a steep hill as officers policed the event.

Police have arrested one man in connection with the damage to the cars and he has been released on bail.

The ten-hour free party, which attracted people from all over the South, was in an area where there are still restrictions in place because of the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

Farmer John Carr, of Balsdean Farm, Rottingdean, who farms the land, estimated the 1,000 revellers and the 200 cars which had made their way to the site had caused £500 damage to crops.

He was particularly concerned because sheep which cannot be moved because of the crisis were in an adjacent field.

His son Martin condemned the revellers for walking on to the land in such vast numbers along closed footpaths.

He said: "These people have no respect for the law, let alone the welfare of animals.

"If some of the people attending this rave had come from parts of the country where there is foot-and-mouth they could be responsible for bringing the disease to Sussex."

Today Home Office Minister Lord Bassam, MP Des Turner and senior police officers visited the site of the illegal rave.

Mr Carr showed them the open gate on land owned by Brighton and Hove City Council through which the vehicles were able to gain access to the farmland to set up the loudspeakers which blasted music into the night air.

Des Turner, MP for Brighton Kemp Town, in whose constituency the rave took place, said he received several calls yesterday morning from constituents concerned about the noise.

He said: "The countryside is for people to enjoy. I am concerned this rave took place near a specially protected nature reserve."

Lord Bassam said: "We have more than adequate powers to deal with raves and prevent them from getting out of control.

"We are not killjoys but there are limits and it is clear on this occasion it went past the limit.

"I am very concerned two police cars were damaged and also concerned that farmland was damaged.

"It is clear that if the public warn the police that raves look like taking place, then the police can get adequate manpower to spots to prevent them getting out of hand."

Lord Bassam said he would be getting in touch with the council to ensure access to the downs off the Falmer Road was more secure.

Farmer Mr Carr told the police and the politicians this was the fourth time in three years the site had been used for a rave.

Inspector Paul Smith, of the East sector division of Brighton Police, said: "We were first alerted to the fact lots of cars were moving on to the Downs at 4am.

"By the time we got there large numbers of people had already gathered.

"If we are alerted early we can get enough manpower to similar sites and block them off."

Meanwhile a second rave, held on part of the authorised travellers' site in Horsedean, north of Patcham, and in a nearby field, disturbed residents.

One woman had to move out of her cottage nearby because of the noise from the rave which was still continuing this morning.

Patcham ward councillor Geoffrey Theobald, who is the Tory opposition leader on Brighton and Hove City Council, said: "We were told when this site was established there would be no extension to it and now this has happened.

"It is an absolute disgrace."

Painter and decorator Brian Maddock, who lives in a farm cottage at Standean, said he had been unable to sleep for two nights because of the row.

He said: "It started at 10pm on Saturday night and was still going until about 9am today. I am disgusted about it.

"We were given all sorts of promises about this site but as soon as someone steps out of line, nothing happens.

"I am worried that this sort of thing may now happen every fine weekend throughout the summer.

"I have not been able to sleep for two nights or get anyone to take action."

One of the travellers on the site at Patcham said today: "Word gets round very quickly where the raves are taking place.

"We did not do anybody any harm. We were just having a good time."