A Town centre development worth millions of pounds could spell the end of the road for an illegal gipsy camp in Thornaby.

Travellers have parked illegally at the former Tristar Neasham site on Allensway in Thornaby every Christmas for the past three years, attracting complaints of anti-social behaviour from those living nearby.

The owners of the site are keen for the site to be developed and said every effort was being taken to combat the problem.

Tim Evans, spokesman for the company, told the Gazette the firm was aware of the behaviour residents claimed to have suffered at the hands of the travellers.

"As on previous occasions we reacted immediately on their arrival on site and liaised with both the police and the council to ensure they were removed as speedily as possible.

"The visits of the travellers are also a problem for us. In addition to the time taken up dealing with their removal, the after-effects of their visit are costly to us.

"We have in the past explored with the council the installation of a substantial fence around the site. However, this was met with a lukewarm response due to planning constraints.

"Following this recent problem, the use of concrete sections has been suggested to us by the police and the council and we have put this into place."

As the site is opposite Thornaby town centre, which is due to be redeveloped by Thornfield Properties, Mr Evans is hopeful it will lead to the development of their land.

A spokeswoman for Stockton Council said: "As Midland Investments have indicated, the main difficulty lies in providing a use that satisfies the freeholder, the leaseholders and the prospective user of the site.

"The council's development partner for the town centre, Thornfield Properties now has the benefit of planning consent to redevelop Thornaby Town Centre and the former Tristar Neasham site on Allensway.

"Initial discussions between Thornfield and Midland have already taken place and will continue so that the land ownership issues can be resolved."

After leaving Allensway the travelling community moved on to the Big W overflow car park in Portrack Lane, from where they were evicted.

A camp also sprang up at the former Redcar and Cleveland Council development department offices on Cargo Fleet Lane.