Transit sites are supported by Devon and Cornwall Police

Devon County Council says it is trying to combat the 60% rise in illegal sites in the past couple of years.

But some local people who oppose the transit sites have set up a fighting fund and have started writing protest letters and collecting a petition.

The council is currently considering sites near Ipplepen, Denbury, Fremington and Shillingford Abbot.

It may be that they don't want it in their back yard, but there has to be provision somewhere Rob Whitehead, Friends Families and Travellers

More than 700 people attended a meeting last week on the issue.

The council says a drop in the number of sites available in recent years has caused more travellers to set up illegally.

But if they were living on the proposed transit sites, they would pay council tax and have access to amenities for up to six months. People who are ill or pregnant would be allowed to stay longer.

Human rights

Rob Whitehead, from the group Friends Families and Travellers, says residents must accept they need the sites.

He said: "It may be that they don't want it in their back yard, but there has to be provision somewhere with decent services and good access to other resources.

"People have to think about the human rights of travellers and that they do need somewhere to live that's not just on the side of the road."

Council staff will be at the public drop-in events answering questions and recording people's views on response forms.

Plans and drawings for the proposed sites will also be on display.

The proposals will not go before the council until 26 January and people can register their views up to that date.

The committee will also hear representations at the meeting itself.

The meetings will be held at: