Travellers who have been evicted from private land in Brighton and Hove are turning their vehicles round and parking elsewhere in the city, say police.

More than 100 cars, vans and caravans parked at Brighton Racecourse were handed an eviction notice yesterday.

Officers said many of the travellers illegally parked in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty for the past two weeks had moved there after being evicted from Stanmer Park and Wild Park.

Police said it could cost thousands of pounds to clear up the rubbish by the racecourse, previously a retreat for dogwalkers and families.

One traveller has already been arrested for fly-tipping at the site by Freshfield Road.

But families near Benfield Valley Golf Course in Hangleton said more than 40 groups of travellers have parked illegally next to Greenleas Park following the racecourse eviction.

Brighton and Hove City councillor, Dawn Barnett, of Greenleas, said: "We've had 15 there for the past three or four weeks who have been quite respectful and clean.

"Although the residents were understandably up in arms the travellers have been as fine as they can be but this new lot are disgusting.

"People have been phoning up to say they feel intimidated. There's more caravans there than I've ever seen before.

"I'm furious. I walked over there and they saw me and just stood in front of me and urinated. I'm 65 but what about all the children around here?"

Police said they had counted 102 vehicles illegally parked at Brighton Racecourse on Thursday who had already been informed by the council they needed to leave. The area is just one of a series of "hotspots" targeted by gipsies and travellers over the summer, including sites at East Brighton Park, 39 Acre Field, and Carden Park.

District Inspector Steve Curry said: "This week I've evicted people from Stanmer Park and Wild Park who then went to join travellers at the racecourse. Yesterday we arrested a man literally for driving a van into a gorse bush and emptying an entire load of building rubble.

"It's going to cost a lot of money to clear up all this mess and it's a great shame because it shows a complete disregard for the area and local people."

Since evicting gipsies from Wild Park in Moulsecoomb concrete blocks have been placed by gates to stop them returning.

But council officials said it could only be a temporary measure, though they were currently reviewing security around the park.

A spokeswoman said: "When travellers are moved on the council takes action to prevent them from moving back on to the land or on to nearby parks and open spaces, blocking off access where possible.

"However, we cannot turn our parks and open spaces into fortresses."