A RESCUE plan to save a troubled £945,000 gipsy site in eastCleveland has been unveiled.

The site in Old Station Road, South Bank, has been beset with violence, alleged intimidation and vandalism since it opened in 1996.

One of the problems has been factional rivalries within the camp and councillors will consider reducing the size of the site so only gipsies from east Cleveland area can live there.

It is hoped that these travellers will have better relations with each other.

However, the council fears the new policy could lead to illegal encampments with gipsies coming to the district from elsewhere.

In a report to be debated by councillors at Eston Town Hall on Friday, council development officer Andy Powell said: "Since opening, the site has had a difficult, unsuccessful life. The site has been the subject of severe vandalism, with the residents and four different wardens often the subject of severe intimidation.

"From the outset it became clear that due to the factional nature of the community, it would be impossible to settle all families who may be present in the borough on the site at the same time."

Mr Powell went on to say that the site, built with Government money, was closed in 1999 for repairs and for security cameras to be installed. It re-opened in 2000 to accommodate an unauthorised encampment at Nelson Street, South Bank, and a warden was appointed from within the community.

Recently, a £57,750 Gipsy Site Refurbishment Grant was awarded to the council to relay and redesign a smaller site. The council would contribute a further £19,250 to the scheme if councillors approve it.