More than 200 arrived in a mixture of caravans and shiny cars, including two Rolls-Royces and a Bentley.

They camped until last night in Princes Park, Eastbourne, sparking two days of complaints from residents.

Neighbours claim the park has been left looking like a "First World War battle scene," and the cost of repairing the damage is likely to run into thousands of pounds.

The group, mostly labourers, had been moved on from Newhaven on Friday.

Local councillor Bob Backhouse said: "They have terrorised residents. People have been frightened to leave their homes.

"I can't believe the damage they have caused."

Mr Backhouse said a 70-year-old woman whose home overlooks the park had been "verbally assaulted."

Resident Iris Trewin, of Wartling Road, said: "They arrived at about 4am on Saturday and well over 100 caravans were in the park.

"They were using the grass as a skid pan. The noise was incredible."

A cricket pitch was left ruined. The travellers moved onto an adjacent lorry park, where one of them, John Dorley, 51, said people had come from all over Britain for the celebration.

He said: "We are here for Easter, to have a bit of fun and to celebrate an engagement, nothing else."

Mr Dorley admitted that the group had caused damage to the park. He said: "When we arrived it was dry, then it rained. It's as simple as that.

Asked about the event at the prestigious Brighton hotel, Mr Dorley admitted the group were well-off and said he could "lay his hands on £250,000 tomorrow."

A police spokesman said: "The travellers have given us their assurance that they will all be gone by today."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.