HEREFORDSHIRE Council is seeking suggestions for new official camp sites for gypsies and travellers in the county.

If the search is successful, the sight of unauthorised encampments, such as those which occasionally take place along Ledbury bypass, could become a thing of the past.

Suggestions should be in by Sunday, February 14.

A spokesman said: "The council is preparing a plan which will identify sites for gypsies and travellers to live or stop over as they pass through the county.

"This will help to address the number of unauthorised encampments that currently take place."

As required by law Herefordshire Council has assessed the future accommodation needs of gypsies, travellers and travelling show people up to 2031.

The spokesman added: "The council is now looking for suitable sites to meet this identified need and is therefore asking people to send in details about areas of land that they think would be suitable."

Information on the types of sites required and how to send information in is available at http://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/planning-policy/travellers-sites-document