An abusive Sussex police officer who branded anti-fracking campaigners "scum" online has been given "management advice," the force has said.

The unnamed PC made the comment about campaigners in Balcombe, West Sussex, on a personal Twitter account.

It was spotted by a member of the public, who brought it to the force's attention.

Sussex Police said: "The officer has been identified and has received management advice about their actions.

"We have worked hard to engage with everyone involved in and affected by the activities surrounding the drilling operation at Balcombe and no matter who authors them such comments are unhelpful and not acceptable."

Dozens of activists remain camped outside an exploratory drilling site owned by Cuadrilla.

More than 100 protesters have been arrested since the demonstrations began in July, including Brighton Pavilion Green MP Caroline Lucas.

Police have been accused of being heavy-handed throughout the seven-week protest.

Sussex police commissioner Katy Bourne said that she would be quizzing the chief constable over the allegations.

Meanwhile a legal bid by West Sussex County Council to end the demonstrations was derailed this week by High Court judges.

The council was after a possession order for the verges where the camp has been set up.

But judge Beverley Lang adjourned the "flawed" application, giving the council until October 8 to try again.

A camp spokesman welcomed the decision, saying: "We are so happy that we can now stay to finish our protest and then leave in a peaceful way once Cuadrilla have left.

"This will give us time to clear and clean up, and to rethink and regroup for future action against oil and gas drilling in Balcombe and elsewhere in the country where new drilling sites are in the offing."

The council said it accepted the decision but insisted that the camp was unsafe.