A VICAR has hit back at claims that gipsies camped illegally in a small village outside Worcester have launched a "charm offensive" to prove they are not criminals.

A national newspaper reported on Saturday that travellers in Eckington, near Pershore, who spread gravel over a two-acre field to make way for 16 caravans, had "had the parish vicar round".

"Not everybody hates the gipsies," the article said.

But the Rev Peter Thomas, vicar of Holy Trinity Church in Eckington, said the paper had its facts wrong.

"It was me who initiated my visit to their site," he told the Evening News.

Mr Thomas said he was pleased the gipsies were keeping the site, off the B4084, well maintained and is satisfied they are part of an extended Romany family.

"I also share the travellers' concerns over the fact that their children need to be educated and I have talked to them about that," he said.

"However, at the same time, I can't condone their flagrant breach of planning regulations."

The gipsies applied for retrospective planning permission which was rejected by Wychavon District Council.

The gipsies have launched appeals at every stage of the legal process so far.