Some of the protesters say they are prepared to go to jail

More than 1,000 villagers in Cottenham, Cambridgeshire, are already threatening to refuse to pay their council tax if the site is not curbed.

At a protest meeting on Monday evening, more than 600 residents agreed to set up an official Cottenham Residents Association.

The association will co-ordinate their campaign.

Residents say numbers at the Smithy Fen site could soon reach 8,000.

Spokesman Terry Brownbill said of Monday evening's meeting: "It's the third we have had and there were more people than ever before."

He said villagers wanted their local council and the government to act to stop the illegal expansion.

A travellers' site has existed near Cottenham for 40 years, housing about 30 families.

Many are challenging local council planning orders telling them to leave.

A total of 18 travellers have now appealed to the government on human rights grounds after South Cambridgeshire District Council refused them permission to live on the site.

The appeals are due to be held on 26 April and villagers plan to write protest letters to the planning inspector.