MORE than 100 extra pitches are needed in Worcestershire to accommodate gypsy and traveller families, it has been claimed.

Worcestershire County Council's gipsy services manager Pat Weale disclosed the shock figure at a meeting on Wednesday, saying it currently had a "very long" waiting list for sites.

She added that while five of the nine county council-run sites were in the Wychavon district, there was demand for pitches - the average size of which is 100 square metres - in other areas of the county and local authorities had to address the issue.

The news came as Wychavon District Council's report on the issues facing gipsies and travellers in its area was presented.

The report concluded that the district council's approach was broadly correct and it would continue to take firm action on illegal encampments, but also needed to be fairer to the needs of gipsies and travellers on settled sites.

Wychavon councillor Adrian Hardman said: "The gipsies we've spoken to are extremely keen on educating their children and see they have to make a change, with education being key."

Coun Hardman said Wychavon was "setting the agenda" in the county but part of the problem was some district councils did not acknowledge they were in their respective areas.

He also said the closure of some traveller sites in neighbouring counties was increasing the pressure on those in Worcestershire.

Councillor Peter Pinfield agreed other local authorities needed to ensure they were doing their bit.

He added: "It seems to me Wychavon has been incredibly responsible and moved the agenda forward - what's bothering me is the role of the wider county.

"We don't want to focus on this as a Wychavon problem, merely that they've identified some issues."

There were estimated to be 438 caravans in Worcestershire in January - 292 in Wychavon, 55 in the Wyre Forest, 35 in Worcester, 30 in Bromsgrove and 26 in the Malvern Hills.

Mrs Weale said the number of pitches needed could not be properly determined until a gipsy and travellers' needs assessment has been carried out - not expected for at least six months At Wednesday's meeting, councillors also agreed to ensure organisations were clear about their role and committed to maintain the quality of sites the county council runs.