Travellers could soon have a dedicated camp of their own in Rochford.

The district council has agreed to work with Essex County Council to look at finding areas for travellers to stay in.

At the district's full meeting, most councillors agreed it would be a good idea to welcome travellers into the community.

Heather Glynn (Lib Dem, Hawkwell East) explained that years ago, Rayleigh Urban District Council and Rochford Rural Council had set up a site for gipsies, travellers and tinkers near the Anne Boleyn pub in Rochford.

She said: "They are now part of the community. Their children have gone to school here and have done very well."

However, not all councillors wanted new gipsy sites in the district.

Peter Webster (Con, Whitehouse) said: "A great number of them pay nothing back to local economy and do not pay income tax.

"I do not believe many people in the Rochford district want to see short or long-term gipsy sites near them. I would not be happy to see gipsies in Whitehouse ward."

David Flack (Lab, Hullbridge Riverside) said there had been travellers and gipsies living in his ward for years and only a small minority had proved troublesome.

He said: "This is just how the situation in Kosovo developed.

"Gipsies have been living in Europe for thousands of years."

He accused Mr Webster of behaving like Slobodan Milosevic.

Rochford District Council has agreed to hear a presentation from Essex County Council's gipsy liaison officer.

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