POLITICIANS in Worcestershire are to hold a brainstorming session to find ways of tackling traveller invasions.

A special meeting has been set up by Droitwich Spa Town Council to discuss the problem, which has recently affected the area.

The meeting is in direct response to calls for action from angry residents and business owners in the town.

They were in uproar when scores of travellers set up camp on the Hampton Lovett Business Park last month, before moving on to a field opposite the Chateau Impney Hotel, off the A38.

"The main objective of the meeting will be to prevent the problems we have seen in Droitwich in the past few months from ever happening again," said Lovett and North Claines councillor, Andrew Christian-Brookes.

"One of the best ways we can do this will be to thrash out a policy to help the police to move these people on as soon as they arrive in the area.

"At the moment the police are restricted in how they can handle the situation.

"One of the biggest problems for them is where do they move the travellers on to? One of the options we will be discussing at the meeting is whether it is a viable option to set up transit sites in Worcester.

"But whatever we decide, something has to be done. The problem has gone on for far too long and the people of Droitwich are getting very annoyed."

Mid-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff is to join in the debate.

He has already called for tougher action in a letter to West Mercia Police, Wychavon District Council, and Worcestershire County Council.

"Just because this particular lot of travellers have gone away, it doesn't mean the problem has.

"By working with the community, the police, and the district and county councils, I intend to ensure the development of a strategy which protects the rights of residents to live and work without the problems we have seen."

The meeting, to be held at Hampton Lovett village hall next month, will be attended by more than a dozen councillors representing local councils, including Wychavon district and Worcestershire County Council. It will not be open to members of the public or Press.