VALE MP Peter Luff has warned residents to be on their guard during the Easter weekend over more unauthorised traveller sites being established.

The Conservative MP fears travellers will take advantage of the Bank Holiday Weekend, when public authorities operate on a lower scale.

The warning comes amid claims from gipsies living on an unauthorised site near Eckington that they have been subjected to arson threats and attempts to run them off the road.

Mr Luff said: "It's essential that we are all very watchful over the Easter weekend as travellers establishing permanent illegal camps like to do so over bank holiday weekends when they think the guard of public authorities is likely to be lowered." He urged people to contact Wychavon District Council or the police about any suspicious activity.

Wychavon's managing director Jack Hegarty said: "We have always had an emergency team in place for out of hours situations, but we have increased it. These people have been specifically trained in cases of gipsy issues, in response to what has happened in the last few years."

The Eckington gipsies believe the intimidating threats to burn down their caravans stem from Conservative Party plans announced on Monday to crackdown on illegal sites.

Tory leader Michael Howard plans to increase local council powers, give more say to local residents and consider repealing the Human Rights Act.

Site resident Louie Goddard said: "People have a stereotypical view of gipsies but they haven't got a clue what we are really like. With everyone jumping on the bandwagon before the general election it has just made things worse. We don't want anything from the taxpayer. We just want basic facilities, what's right for our children and to be left alone to live our lives."

Ron Stainer, the group's planning agent, said: "You have to bear in mind Michael Howard started this off by wanting gipsies to provide their own sites. Around 80 per cent of housing applications are passed and 90 per cent of gipsy sites are refused. People are saying enough is enough and if they can't establish sites legally, they will have to do it illegally."