A FAMILY of travellers banned from a ten square mile area of countryside in a landmark ruling have been told to improve their behaviour by fellow gipsies.

Fed-up residents were relived after members of the Smith family were issued with anti-social behaviour orders (Asbos) on Monday.

The family of 12 from Malton, North Yorkshire, has been accused of harassing residents, damaging farmers' crops, destroying hedgerows, starting fires and leaving rubbish on every site they occupied.

The family also tethered their ten horses on private land and allowed them to run on the road.

On Monday, the four heads of the family were banned from the area around Sand Hutton, Warthill, Upper Helmsley and Gate Helmsley, near York. They were also told not to set up long-term camps on any roadside verge in the country.

Last night, gipsy leaders said it was time the family improved its behaviour.

Hughie Smith, no relation, president of the North Yorkshire branch of the Gypsy Council, said David Smith Senior and his family had been causing problems for 20 years, ever since they were evicted from a travellers' site in Malton by other travellers.

He said: "We fight for traveller families in every part of the country, but we cannot fight for people who do not help themselves.

"David needs to conform to the order. He should get rid of his dogs and horses and he should find some remote land to buy. The problem is he does not know how to conform."

David Smith Senior, 58, as well as Thomas Smith, 27, Richard Smith, 26, and Rabbi Smith, 19, have been told they could face up to five years behind bars if they breach the Asbos.

Inspector Neil Burnett, Ryedale district's police commander, said: "We have had hundreds of complaints from residents who are fed up with the way they conduct themselves, the squalor and mess they live in, and their blatant disregard for people's property.

"We will ensure the Smiths are allowed to enjoy their travelling lifestyle as long as it does not negatively impact on local communities."

The Asbos are thought to be the first made against four members of the same family.