A GIPSY caravan site in Darlington is to be refurbished with more than £800,000 of Government funding.

The site, in Honeypot Lane, Cockerton, will have its kitchen and bathroom facilities for settled families upgraded. An area will also be created for temporary visitors.

The money has been awarded by the Office for the Deputy Prime Minister after an application from Darlington Borough Council.

"We were aware of the standard of the facilities there and that we could bid for funding to improve that," said a council spokesman.

"We did and were successful. In total, about £830,00 will be spent on the work there."

About £580,000 will be spent on refurbishing amenities for settled families.

Another £250,000 will be used to create an area with basic amenities for the travelling community.

The authority is inviting tenders for the refurbishment contracts.

"Work will begin in a matter of weeks if everything goes to plan," said the council spokesman.

Cockerton East ward councillor Bryan Thistlethwaite said the improvements were important.

"I have no problems with the work being carried out," he said.

"Some people could possibly argue that the money could be spent elsewhere.

"But I have never had any misdealings with the gipsies and I have been a ward councillor since 1991. They have a right to a decent way of life.

"While they are here we should be offering the facilities that make them as comfortable as possible."

Hughie Smith, of the Gypsy Council, agreed that the refurbishment was welcome, but he said the borough council needed to rethink its policy on privately owned gipsy sites.

He said: "I think the refurbishment is good news, but Darlington Borough Council has double standards.

"Honeypot Lane is a public site. When gipsies buy a piece of land in the Darlington area they are automatically refused planning permission.

"I think the council has got to start thinking about encouraging private site development.

"Caravan sites provided by the gipsy people themselves are well-known to be the best in the country."