A civic leader is demanding a crackdown on travellers who have been accused of breaking into cordoned-off sites this summer.

Graham Forshaw, leader of West Sussex County Council, wants to make it a criminal offence for travellers to return to the same district for three months after being moved on.

His call comes after travellers allegedly broke down a fence on land bordering the A259 at East Preston, which has been one of their regular meeting places.

The fence, put in earlier this year, was supposed to deter travellers after residents complained about noise, disruption and mess.

A fortnight ago, travellers set up camp at Goring Gap after the council spent £7,500 installing barriers to thwart them.

Now Mr Forshaw is urging the Home Office to make it easier for councils to evict travellers.

He said: "I am unhappy to hear the news that these people have broken down fences, illegally occupying the land.

"It should be made a criminal offence for travellers to return to land within 30 miles of the same site within a three month period."

Mark Roscoe, duty manager at the Roundstone pub, opposite the site, said: "They have been parked there for a couple of days but they are always polite when they come in for a drink."