MINISTERS have been accused of extending privileges to gipsies and travellers after it emerged a publicly-funded hotline has been set up to give advice on planning issues.

Mid-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff said he was "amazed" that taxpayers' money was being spent on a hotline which gives planning advice to travellers.

Housing Minister Yvette Cooper denied last week that there was such a hotline for travellers.

But it has subsequently emerged that the Legal Services Commission, a Government quango which dispenses Britain's £2.1bn legal aid budget, provides a planning advice line for travellers.

The disclosure comes amid growing public anger that travellers are exploiting loopholes in the planning system, with hundreds of extra unauthorised sites springing up over the last few years.

Mr Luff, whose Worcestershire constituency has been blighted by travellers setting up illegal encampments, condemned the expense of the hotline.

"Everyone agrees that British citizens should have equal rights under the law," he said.

"But the Government seems determined to give travellers additional rights and wants to give them free advice on how to get them.

"I'm amazed and I think my constituents will be horrified that their money is being spent on this."

Last November, the Government revealed a dramatic rise in the number of travellers camping illegally in Worcestershire.

Unlawfully-parked caravans across the county soared from 357 in July 2002 to 429 in July 2004.

There were 273 in Wychavon, 58 in Malvern Hills, 43 in Wyre Forest, 31 in Worcester and 24 in Bromsgrove.

The Tories claimed yesterday that the helpline was being used by travellers to learn how to circumvent planning laws with the Human Right Act.

The Legal Service Commission's annual report states: "In addition to the national telephone service, we will continue to fund telephone advice in a number of categories in particular areas of the country.

"This includes housing and employment advice and a housing and planning law advice line for travellers and gipsies.

"We plan to include these categories within the national system when more resources are available for caseworkers."