A MEETING is to take place later this week in an attempt to build bridges between a local authority and a small group of travellers in east Cleveland.

The travellers have set up an illegal site at Warrenby, near Redcar, even though there is an official site at South Bank.

Concerns for the group's welfare were raised by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, because there are two pregnant women, a person who has just come out of hospital and is still quite ill and three children as part of the group.

Councillor Sam Tombe, chairman of the committee that looks after the gipsies, said he and Councillors Lynne Pallister and Cliff Houlding were meeting both local people and the gipsies to discuss their concerns over the situation, at a meeting on Friday.

Coun Tombe presented the travellers with a box of biscuits and a Christmas card last month, in a bid to start to developing a good working relationship and according to Sal Buckler, who is employed by the Workers' Education Association as a liaison officer for the gipsies and local councils, the gesture was appreciated.

"The council has always wanted a good relationship with the travellers, but hasn't had the expertise to deal with the issues. The biscuits were well received as a gesture of goodwill."

Coun Tombe said: "We want to develop a relationship with them and build bridges between the local authority and the gipsies so they realise we are looking after them."