GARDENS at a country house are in a state of disrepair.

The leaseholder of Stanmer House near Brighton is “disappointed” at the condition of the grounds, which are scattered with pieces of wood, tarpaulin and other rubbish.

Entrepreneur Alex Proud, whose company Proud Publishing Ltd had been managing the 18th century manor house since 2016, ceased trading at the beginning of February as the company is going into liquidation.

Mike Youles, the manager of the house on behalf of the head leaseholders, said there has been a delay with the liquidation process and it still does not have legal access to the building.

Squatters are reported to have broken into the property on Sunday, February 23.

Mr Youles said: “The lease is currently being dealt with by the liquidator and the legal right of access to the building remains with the leaseholder. Therefore we’re not permitted to enter until that is all resolved.

“We were made aware by Alex Proud that squatters had broken into the building despite it being occupied by one of his employees and the police intervened swiftly.

“As it has residential status any unauthorised access is deemed an illegal trespass and the police will deal with it.

“I visited the site to see what had happened and I was deeply disappointed at the state the garden has been left in after the removal of the marquee.

“We are not allowed access to the house but I took photos of the gardens and there is a lot of debris lying around.”

When The Argus contacted Mr Proud, he said he was unaware of the mess.

He said: “We left the house a month ago when we ceased trading and we left it immaculate.

“We spent £2,000 cleaning and tidying all four floors to leave the house in perfect condition. We are more than happy to clean up the garden. It probably needs five or eight hours of work to tidy up, but I am not even sure this was messed up while we were there, it might well have been since we left.

“We’re also paying someone to live there and he bravely stopped the squatters, who fled. We put up notices and nailed doors shut and he has stopped any further incursion.

“We have zero responsibility legally, but I care.”

Sussex Police said: “Police attended Stanmer House just after 12.45am on Sunday, February 23, following reports of people inside the property. Before officers arrived the people had left. No criminal damage, theft or other criminal offences were recorded and this is being dealt with as a civil trespassing matter.”