GIPSIES have abandoned their bid to build a permanent camp in Eckington, ending two years of legal wrangling which has cost council taxpayers £26,000.

Less than two months before a second planning appeal was due to take place, the gipsies have accepted legal advice that their cause is "not worth pursuing" and withdrawn their objections.

The gipsies first moved onto the site in May 2004 and installed permanent hardstanding for caravans and a drainage system without permission from Wychavon District Council.

The Council served enforcement notices and a public inquiry and High Court action followed, resulting in the gipsies being told to leave the site by April 2005.

They did leave, though not without a protest, and were geared up to the second appeal in January. Last week however the District Council was informed that it will not go ahead. Gipsy agent Ron Stainer said: "It was withdrawn because the barrister and planning consultants decided that it wasn't worth pursuing."

He said he did not know what is going to happen to the site and that the gipsies are now "spread all over the country and some are abroad".

He added: "Apparently you get a better reception in Ireland, Spain and France than you do in this country."

Cllr Adrian Hardman said: "I hope that this news marks the beginning of the end of the final chapter in what has been a long, not to mention costly, battle not only for us following months of High Court battles, but also for the residents of Eckington and Bredon.

"I hope that we will be able to reach a settlement on the question of the restoration of the land without more court action and cost to the council taxpayer. I am delighted that planning law has been upheld and would praise the Councils for its approach to treat all breaches of the law the same."