Police were today using special powers to evict travellers from a site in Worthing less than a day after they arrived.

Residents complained when 11 caravans arrived at a green in West Parade yesterday afternoon.

Normally, Worthing Borough Council would have to apply to magistrates for an eviction notice.

That would cost money in legal fees and take about a week to carry out.

This time, Inspector Allan Lowe gave notice to the group to leave the green, between Anscombe Road and Bernard Road, by 11am today.

He said: "We have taken the decision to use police powers to remove this group.

"I consider it an unsuitable stopping place for them because it is very close to residential properties and could well cause quite a lot of disruption.

"If they had been here for a longer period of time we would have to consider welfare issues."

Worthing's assistant director of community services John Thorpe said: "The police have decided their powers are appropriate to use in this case.

"If police used these powers in every circumstance it would make things a lot easier to move people on but they are not appropriate in every case and police make that decision."

West Sussex county councillor John Livermore, who lives near the site, said: "I'm just disappointed they have arrived at all. I hope they are moved on very quickly and leave the place in a respectable condition.

"This is not an ideal place for them. It is right on the seafront and near people's homes."