HILLINGDON Council has received a massive cash injection to improve facilities for gypsies and travellers in the borough.

The council has been awarded £355,000 from the Gypsies and Travellers Grant which is intended to provide additional pitches and improve existing approved sites.

The cash has been earmarked to refurbish and extend the Colne Park site in a bid to reduce unauthorised pitching.

Iain Wright, Minister for gypsies and travellers, said: "We look to local authorities to show real leadership in taking forward what can be a contentious issue on the ground.

"The problem of unauthorised camping will only be tackled through sufficient site provision, coupled with effective enforcement.

"Providing more authorised sites reduces the cost to taxpayers of costly enforcement action and makes it quicker and easier to take action where unauthorised camping does take place."

The grant will be supplemented by a £75,000 contribution from the council which will fund improvement of the site, including a children's playground and kick about area, and two extra plots..

Neil Stubbings, head of housing at Hillingdon Council, said "The Colne Park travellers' site is well established in the community and we are very pleased that the funding will enable further improvements to be made."