Travellers invade cricket pitch with more than a dozen caravans as residents fear beloved green space 'could be ruined'

A group of travellers has invaded a cricket groud a rural West Sussex village, leaving residents fearing the space could be ruined just as the summer season begins.

Around 15 motorhomes and caravans have pitched up on Clayton Recreation Ground near Hassocks.

Local residents said the vehicles arrived on the pitch on Tuesday, with most of the motorhomes parked along the edge of the field.

However, some were parked over the pitch, leading to concerns it could impact matches at the site.

One local resident, who asked not to be named, said: "It’s just not cricket. I’m sure they’ll be gone soon, but it’ll be a real shame if the crease is ruined with tyre marks.

"Cricket is our summer sport and we don’t want it ruined by caravans."

GB News has contacted Sussex Police for a comment.

Sites across Kent, Lincolnshire and Derbyshire were among the locations targeted over the recent bank holiday break.

In West Chiltington, West Sussex, heavy machinery moved onto a field on Friday near the world-renowned Nyetimber sparkling wine estate.

Work continued throughout the weekend despite the presence of both council officers and police at the scene.

Horsham District Council told The Telegraph: "Following reports received last week that unauthorised works at a site on land south of Clayes Farm in Broadford Bridge Road, West Chiltington, were likely to take place over the bank holiday weekend, Horsham district council prepared temporary stop notices which were issued and served on the land early on the morning of Saturday, May 23.

"Investigations are continuing, which may result in further formal action."

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Aerial images showed a large portion of the field had been tarmacked over by the end of the weekend, with a number of mobile homes appearing ready to move in.

One West Sussex local said: "The local council and police were here then, but the work carried on."

Another neighbour said vehicles had been arriving at the field continuously since Friday.

They added that no planning notices had been erected at the site and they had not heard anything from the council about the vehicles.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch previously unveiled plans for a crackdown on illegal traveller camps in order to "stop two-tier justice".

The Tory chief will campaign to give police the power to remove travellers at the request of landowners and prevent them from returning indefinitely.

Police are currently unable to evict travellers who have trespassed on private property unless they have caused significant damage, disruption or distress.

In 2022, legislation was passed by the Conservative Government to ban travellers from an area for up to 12 months.