It is believed to be the same group which police moved on from Ringmer on Thursday last week. They travelled to Cooksbridge where they were moved on again on Friday.

They are now opposite The Gallops near to Lewes Prison on land owned by Lewes District Council.

The council has sent letters to residents telling them about the encampment.

Lindsay Frost director of environmental services said: 'Before any action can be taken to remove unauthorised encampments, we are legally required to consider certain factors to ensure that we are acting in a proportionate way.

'We must demonstrate that we are acting fairly to both the travelling community and local residents and that everybody's rights have been taken into account in any action the authorities may, or may not, take.

'The travellers have been informed that this is an unauthorised encampment and that they cannot stop.

'The council will be taking action to secure their removal.

'Before the travellers can be removed however certain welfare and health checks have to be undertaken to ensure that the needs of any vulnerable travellers are properly assessed.

'This must be done before any court is likely to grant legal clearance for repossession of the land.

'This process can take some time.

'Until those assessments are completed, the council is not in a position to start legal proceedings.'

He said a code of behaviour has been given to the travellers.

He asked residents to be patient and tolerant and promised to act, together with the police, to minimise disruption.

Police said they had visited the site and were working closely with the council on the issue.