Exclusive Canford Cliffs – just a mile from mega-rich Sandbanks – boasts multi-million pound homes with property-owners flying in and out by helicopter.

But yesterday, worried residents of the Dorset beauty spot woke to find that traveller families had parked up in the beach car park.

Lorries had towed 11 caravans on to the site on Monday and their occupants put up washing lines and tethered a pony along the main road.

Last night, householders told how they feared the newcomers would bring crime and nuisance.

Angry resident Susan Steele, 60, said: “It’s just unbelievable they can get away with it.” Ken Pottle, of the local neighbourhood watch group, said: “No one really wants travellers in the area but they have so many rights.”

A spokesman for Poole Borough Council said the families would not be allowed to stay indefinitely.

He also said officials would be checking the vehicles daily to ensure they had displayed valid parking tickets.