TRAVELLERS are likely to be allowed to stay on council land - despite a string of objections from residents.

The travellers arrived at Warrenby, Redcar, a few months ago and signed a temporary agreement with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, which ensured they would behave in a reasonable manner in exchange for the provision of toilet facilities, water and rubbish collection.

But the council received petitions of objection signed by more than 360 people, several letters of complaint - including one from the Tees Valley Wildlife Trust - and a series of telephone calls in protest.

Accusations against the travellers ranged from animal neglect to crimes against property - allegations which are vehemently denied.

But officers from the council say they have witnessed horses straying on to a council-owned car park and they have been the victims of intimidation and threatening behaviour from the travellers.

The travellers have told the council they will resist any attempts to move them, pointing out that the group includes two pregnant women and a number of children, who are established in local schools.

They say they will not return to an official site at South Bank, because there is insufficient room and problems with neighbours and wardens.

Now, the council is expected to approve plans to allow them to remain at the Warrenby site, on a renewable agreement, at an executive meeting on Tuesday.

Officers believe this will give them the chance to take action against individuals who do not comply with the agreement and gives the council an "area of toleration" where other unauthorised travellers can be directed.

It also wants to appoint an equalities officer, who would have responsibility for managing relationships between the gipsies and their neighbours.

Dr Joan Rees, the council's director of development, said: "The needs and rights of the settled community to be able to make a living, to enjoy decent standards of tidiness and cleanliness, and to be able to live without interference need to be balanced against the human rights of the gipsy families."

The council also has plans to develop the Warrenby area as part of a Single Regeneration Budget allocation.