Squatters who claim they have turned an empty building into a community centre are facing eviction from the premises.

The group says it has breathed new life into Home Farm farmhouse in Stanmer Park, Brighton, after breaking in more than a week ago.

The building was secured with metal shutters by Brighton and Hove City Council but the squatters, who have electricians, plumbers, gardeners and artists among the group, removed them to get in. They say they have mended broken windows and opened up the house to the community.

Most of the people involved in the project are not living in the property but visit daily to help clean up. Artists and sculptors are working in the building and have set up an open house gallery.

Last Thursday the council took Rob Cornell, one of the group's members, to Brighton County Court and served him with an eviction notice. But the squatters have vowed to fight the order and have carried on using the building.

Group member Samantha Casey said: "We are being honest about what we are doing and now it is being used as a space rather than it being an eyesore.

"It is a listed building so we are not going too far but we are fixing windows and respecting the building, and part of that is keeping it in use.

"The council is so keen to get us out instead of appreciating what we are doing for the community.

"We certainly object to a space like that being vandalised. It has been left to get damp and fall into disrepair."

Miss Casey said the group was only given three days' notice to prepare for its court appearance which meant it did not have time to seek representation.

Home Farm farmhouse is the second building the group says it has reclaimed for the community.

At the beginning of May itreopened the Ray Tindle Centre in Upper Gardner Street, Brighton. It was served with an eviction notice shortly afterwards.

The centre has been closed for three years, and half of it has been converted into flats.

The squatters say their aim is to get members from the community to show the council how the space can be used.

A spokeswoman for the council said: "The council was informed last week that squatters had broken into Home Farm farmhouse. This was despite the fact that we had made sure the farmhouse was secured using metal shutters on all doors and windows.

"At the court hearing, the judge was satisfied that the trespassers had no legal right to be in the farmhouse and the council is now waiting for a bailiff's appointment to evict them.

"These squatters are doing Brighton and Hove residents and the charitable trust that leases the building a great disservice.

"They could hold up refurbishment and consequently the chances of the property being let out to new tenants.

"A planning application has been submitted to convert the farmhouse into two dwellings and refurbish them for people to live in."