Funding boost for traveller sites

Almost £900,000 is to be spent improving two camp sites for travellers and gypsies in the North East.

St Philip's Park in County Durham is to receive most of the government funding - £825,000 for refurbishment work.

Oakwell Park in Gateshead has also been earmarked for improvements and will receive £65,000.

Over the next three years a further £97m will be spent by councils and housing associations in the UK on improving conditions further.

Government Communities Minister Iain Wright said: "This funding is vital in delivering both new and better sites to ensure that gypsies and travellers have authorised, decent places to live.

"It is important that councils ensure there are enough authorised sites for the gypsy and traveller communities."