PRESTON'S traveller community has welcomed a report recommending local authorities be forced to provide permanent sites for gypsies and other travellers.

Margaret Gavin, who has lived on the Leighton Street site, off Marsh Lane, for several years, said more official sites would mean less problems for them.

Mrs Gavin, whose husband is the site warden, said: "We are lucky here in that we have a well run site and a secure base for our families. There is a waiting list for people to stay here.

"But it is much more difficult for those who travel around more frequently to find a site to accommodate them.

"That's how they end up pitching up at places like the docks and Red Scar."

Her comments come after a report by a committee of MPs stated permanent sites would resolve the problem of unauthorised settlements which, they claim, are the cause of much animosity within communities.

The commons housing, local government and regions committee found that since 1994, when the obligation on local councils to provide sites for gypsies and travellers was removed, the number of official sites has reduced to 320. They claim sites should be relatively small, about 18 pitches, enabling them to be better managed and be more acceptable to local people.

Preston's site has about 15 pitches and is home to several families who stay for differing periods. It is one only three of its kind in Lancashire as few local authorities now provide them on a voluntary basis.

Another resident Sammy Jones, 16, said: "People stay here for different lengths of time and the place is very popular, it's a good place for our family."

Preston MP, Mark Hendrick, supports the idea of local provision of sites and said legal avenues were easier to pursue against unofficial settlements if facilities were provided in the town or city. He added: "People using the sites also pay council tax and are therefore are entitled to services provided by the authorities."