The millionaire founder of a golf club wants to build a warden's cabin on his course to see off vandals.

Michael Hunt, 68, says he needs security staff permanently on site at Singing Hills Golf Club in Albourne.

The last straw came when travellers forced him to shut one of the three nine-hole golf courses before they were moved on last week.

The group set up camp near the fairways and, at one point, a total of 21 caravans were parked in the field.

Mr Hunt said the warden's hut was essential to protect the course from vandal attacks in the future.

But planning officers at Mid Sussex District Council have recommended the plan be turned down because trees would need to be cleared to make way for the log cabin.

Retired investor Mr Hunt said: "Even though the gate to the course is secured it is easy to break through the hedge.

"We have had problems with children on the course causing havoc for the golfers, damaging the green and stealing the balls.

"They just wait for the golfers to hit the balls and then run out on to the green to pick them up.

"We have three nine-hole golf courses and had to close one because the damage was so bad on the ground.

"It is still bad now and has cost us several thousand pounds."

Mr Hunt, who fulfilled a life-long dream when he built the golf course in 1989, said vandalism on fairways was an increasing problem.

Golf courses are becoming increasingly vulnerable to rural theft and vandalism. He said: "We have had course machinery stolen and some of it damaged.

"Our diesel tank has been damaged several times despite being securely locked.

"We thought if we had this cabin in the woods it would give additional security when we are closed.

"We just want to enhance security. We chose a log cabin because we thought it would be less controversial than a brick house."

General manager Mary Crouch said it would take months for the turf nursery to recover and for the repairs to the green to be finished.

She said: "To a layman it doesn't look too bad but we have got the best greens in Sussex and to a golfer it is horrendous."

The application will be decided by the south area planning committee at the Triangle Leisure Centre in Burgess Hill tonight at 7pm.