A gypsy organisation believes Brighton and Hove is one of the most popular destinations in the country for summer travellers.

The Gypsy Council believes the city becomes more popular with travellers in the warmer months because of the climate, the amenities and the sea.

The group has at the same time called for more sites like the one at Horsdean, just outside Brighton, to be built allowing more travellers to park up legally.

As the Horsdean site has 23 pitches, about 77 of the trailers estimated by Brighton and Hove City Council to be in the area at the moment are parked illegally.

A spokesman for the Gypsy Council said: "Like other groups of people, gypsies like the sea and sun on offer at Brighton and Hove and there is nothing unusual in increased numbers arriving there in the summer.

"The area is not very well served for travellers although it does have one site, so therefore those who do arrive often have to park up where they can."

There is currently a waiting list for the Horsdean site which has proved popular since it opened in 1999.

It was the first council-owned dedicated gypsy site in the country.

A spokesman for the city council said: "It is effectively used as an alternative place for travellers to park up, and providing an opportunity for access health and benefits."