TRAVELLERS have set up solar panels to power their homes in a city park.

At least five panels were propped up against seven caravans in Wild Park, Brighton, when The Argus visited the site.

It gives occupants enough environmentally friendly power at night so that gas and generators can be less relied upon.

A member of the commune who would only give his name as Dan has been using solar panels for eight years as he travels around the country in his caravan.

He said they are not working to their optimum at the moment because of the lack of sun and the bad weather, but it was a useful way of avoiding using other forms of power.

He said: "We set them up by the caravans and you get the best result if you point them in the sun's direction and don't have anything blocking the panel and we can use them wherever we go. You do have to position them right. If you can get a good charge it will keep four batteries for the caravans charged for the whole winter."

The 38-year-old said his first grid cost him £600 but he said their price has since plummeted.

"You can get a lot more panels for that kind of money now. I have never paid a utility bill in my life."

Dan said the group will stay at the park until they are moved on.

He added: "The authorities wouldn't waste so much money if they didn't keep moving us around. We aren't like other groups, we keep the place tidy and we just want to get on with our lives. If there was a space where we could park for two or three months at a time away from the public eye that would work for everyone and they wouldn't keep messing up our lives.

"I live like this because I don't want to be part of society. During my life I have rented for less than two months, that's the only time I've been in a building. I don't want to work for someone else, I am happy working for myself. I'm doing my own thing.

"Some people still don't understand our way of life but I think more people are beginning to understand."

Brighton and Hove City Council said a possession hearing to challenge the illegal encampment on the land will take place on Tuesday at Brighton County Court. If this is granted, an eviction will be carried out as soon as possible, a council spokesman said.

This week three other unauthorised camps were on public land at Lynchet Close and Sheepcote Valley in the city and on private land in Boneyard, Drove Road, Woodingdean.

The council was due to decide how to deal with the Lynchet Close encampment and travellers had left Sheepcote Valley by Wednesday when staff were sent to clear away rubbish.