Basildon has been snubbed in a Government cash handout for more legal travellers' sites, it has emerged.

This is despite the district having one of the highest concentration of unlawful encampments in the country, which are home to hundreds of travellers.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has allocated more than £7 million to develop several more legal sites up and down the country.

However, Basildon will be getting nothing for new sites, although it could get some cash to upgrade and improve the official encampment in Courtauld Road, Basildon.

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