The funds will help refurbish travellers' sites

It is part of a �17m government package to refurbish travellers' sites which will also help fund work in Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Northamptonshire.

Luton Borough Council has secured �515,000 to refurbish the site in St Thomas' Road, Stopsley, Bedfordshire, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has announced.

The grant is one of the highest of the 65 grants announced.

Elsewhere in Bedfordshire, there is �11,000 for Timberlands at Caddington and �18,000 for Chiltern View in Eaton Bray.

Grants for travellers' sites Bedfordshire �555,000 Buckinghamshire �90,000 Cambridgeshire �233,000 Essex �69,000 Hertfordshire �132,000 Norfolk �297,000 Northamptonshire �299,000

Sites in Northamptonshire will benefit from a �299,000 grant, while Norfolk sites will gain �297,000.

Housing minister Tony McNulty, announcing the grants, said: "Good quality sites allow gipsies and travellers to live in harmony with neighbouring settled communities."

The government says it is vital to keep travellers' sites open with good amenities.

Ministers believe they allow travellers to live in harmony with surrounding communities, and reduce the need for illegal camps.

The government is also due to consult with police and local councils on new guidelines for dealing with unauthorised camps.