Landowners warned of fair campers

There is no official for travellers during this year's steam fair

Landowners in Dorset are being urged to secure their land to avoid unauthorised camping by travellers and gypsies during the annual steam fair.

The county council's plans for a designated traveller site were thwarted when the landowner withdrew permission after opposition from local residents.

The council said it may not be able to move on unauthorised campers as there is now no alternative site.

The Great Dorset Steam Fair, near Blandford Forum, opens on Wednesday.

For the past two years, Dorset County Council and North Dorset District Council have provided an official stopping site for gypsies and travellers during the fair.

Both years, this proved hugely successful in tackling unauthorised encampments, anti-social behaviour and conflicts with local communities and provided refuse, toilet and water facilities the travelling community.

People who so strongly opposed using the land at Tarrant Hinton could now well end up with unauthorised camps on their doorstep Hilary Cox, Dorset County Council

Before then, travellers often set up unauthorised encampments in the area, sparking complaints from residents about trespass, anti-social behaviour and fly-tipping.

This year, the council had planned to use a field south of the Long Crichel junction on the A354.

Hilary Cox, county council cabinet member for environment, said: "We were extremely disappointed to lose the land which had been earmarked for this year's event, following the hostile reaction from nearby communities.

"People who so strongly opposed using the land at Tarrant Hinton could now well end up with unauthorised camps on their doorstep, and there is little we or the police can do about it."

This year's 38th fair takes place between 30 August and 3 September and will feature 200 working steam engines and 100 fairground organs on a 600-acre showground.