MORE than 50 caravans have moved onto land just outside a housing estate – days after travellers left piles of rubbish at a nearby site.

The caravans, cars, vans and horse boxes moved onto land to the west of Ditchling Road, Brighton, above Hollingbury and the Crowhurst Road industrial estate.

They arrived sometime over the weekend and last night as The Argus went to press, dozens of vehicles remained.

It comes just days after travellers left Happy Valley Park in Woodingdean.

The group arrived at the park on Thursday evening as residents were settling down to watch the England match against Uruguay.

Eyewitnesses said the security guard, who was put on the gate to protect the park from travellers, was assaulted as they moved in.

Councillor Geoffrey Wells, for Woodingdean ward, said: “He was completely outnumbered and they demanded to get it.

“He told us he was assaulted by them but I don’t know any more details. He was certainly shaken when we spoke to him.

“They cut the lock with what looks like an angle grinder and went onto the grass.”

The first vehicles arrived at the park around 5pm and by the late evening there were said to be 50.

The police arrived later on and prevented any more vehicles moving onto the park.

The following day the group moved on.

Cllr Wells added: “First of all I would like to thank the police, they did a fantastic job.

“The mess the travellers left was absolutely disgusting.

“There were nappies, food everywhere, a paddling pool and incredibly even flatscreen TVs. I went out to look and couldn’t believe it.

“This is a public space and they have left it looking like a tip.

He added: “The people of Woodingdean always come together at times like this. We have had people going around picking up the litter but they shouldn’t have to. It is just not fair.”

The Horsdean Traveller Transit site, off Braypool Lane, has pitches set aside for the travelling community. At the weekend just six of the ten were occupied.