POLICE and trading standards officers are investigating rogue Gatwick Airport parking companies after more than 1,000 cars were found unattended in a boggy field.

Police, Horsham District Council and West Sussex County Council Trading Standards are looking into five companies suspected of operating illegally at the site. The businesses claim to offer secure, reliable and affordable parking for the airport.

Officers urged holidaymakers to beware of rogue traders and only book with approved or official parking companies - but would not disclose the location they searched or the companies they were investigating.

On Wednesday they found hundreds of keys to vehicles in the boot of a car which was left open and unlocked. Other keys were left in envelopes on the windscreens of the cars they belonged to and several of the cars were covered in mud. They found no difficulty accessing the site, no CCTV cameras, and no-one present during the 45 minute visit.

Sergeant Darren Taylor said the officials were trying to take "firm action" against "rogue companies."

He said: "I was disgusted but not overly surprised by the condition of the cars, because this appears to be an ongoing issue in the area. Some of the cars were stuck in thick mud and were unable to be towed away, let alone driven away.

"The simplest advice we can give is to look on the Gatwick Airport website for approved parking operators, and not opt for a company just because it is the cheapest. The chances are, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is."

Consumers can report concerns to Citizens Advice on 03454 040506 or by visiting westsussex.gov.uk/tsreport.