A council has issued an ultimatum to a group of travellers who have taken over a popular beauty spot.

West Sussex County Council (WSCC) has issued a notice for the group to leave the Goring Gap area - threatening legal action should it be ignored.

A spokeswoman for the Tory-led council said: "We are aware of an unauthorised encampment of 20 caravans on Goring Gap.

"Notice has been served to vacate the land and court proceedings will be initiated in due course."

It comes after a string of run-ins with caravans at the popular beauty spot, billed as a "magnet for tourists" by walking groups.

In May, a group of travellers were served a notice to leave the area following monitoring carried out by Sussex Police, Adur and Worthing Council and WSCC.

In March, a similar situation unfolded - with local media outlets reporting that wooden posts were ripped out of the village green and rubbish was left strewn across the field.

In the March chaos, three more caravans turned up after being served a notice to vacate.

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After changes to legislation in June 2022, it became illegal for someone older than 18 to reside on land without permission from the owner and have, or intend to have, at least one vehicle with them.

The law changes gave police greater powers to make arrest people and seize equipment relating to the offence being committed.

Chief Constable Jo Shiner from Sussex Police said that the illegal encampments set up by travellers can be a "challenge" for the police force and local authorities.

Shiner said Sussex was one of the first police forces in the country to use the new powers given to them by the changes.

WSCC, meanwhile, said that police officers work alongside the Gypsy and Traveller Advisory Group to "promote equality and tackle hate crime".

But social media reports of the illegal encampment sparked fury among Worthing residents.

One commenter jabbed: "Could fix the pot holes and cut the trees back a bit whilst they are there at least."

Another fumed: "Maybe after they have been moved on we can get all the local residents together to go down with spades to dig a ditch and create a mound all alongside the road - it's the easiest and most effective method to stop illegal encampments."

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West Sussex is a popular destination for travelling communities in the summer months for "short periods at a time" according to Adur & Worthing Councils.

A spokesman for the council said: "Adur & Worthing Councils welcome all communities to visit and enjoy our local area, and we also work together with partners to make sure visits by travelling communities work for everyone."

WSCC are primarily responsible for managing traveller visits to the area, but delegate tasks such as providing bins, dealing with toilets and repairing any damage caused by the group after they leave, to the local council.

A spokesman for the county council said: "We will tolerate an encampment for a short time if the campers are behaving, the site is tidy and other circumstances allow."