Concerned parents say a traveller encampment in a park is preventing children from getting outside and playing during the school holidays.

Residents are frustrated about the encampment at the recently refurbished playground in Halewick Park, Sompting.

They have been threatened while using the park and human excrement was found in the park in November.

Up to 15 caravans have been on the Adur District Council owned land since Thursday.

Council officers served a notice to travellers to vacate the site on Friday which went unheeded and the council is now applying for a court hearing for eviction powers.

One parent, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “There is lots of human excrement which is disgraceful and we can’t use the recently-redeveloped play equipment.”

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “The group of travellers who arrived at Halewick Lane, Sompting, on Thursday, having been moved from their previous location at Lyons Farm, were asked to leave by the council on the following day but did not do so.

“Police are aware and are monitoring the situation and have spoken to the travellers.

“There are no current plans to use police powers to move them at this time.”