A caravan bearing effigies of a gypsy family burnt was set on fire

A Gypsy organisation has said it would like to take part in the Lewes procession on 5 November - the biggest event in the Sussex bonfire calendar.

Last year an effigy of a Gypsy family in a caravan was burnt at Firle.

Gypsy groups said the move incited racial hatred but the bonfire society always denied any racist intent.

What we want to do is show the positive aspect of Gypsies and travelling life Paul Whitehead, of Friends, Families and Travellers' Association

Earlier in July the Crown Prosecution Service said it would not prosecute 12 society members with inciting racial hatred because of insufficient evidence.

Members were arrested in October 2003 after the effigy of the caravan which bore the number plate "P1 KEY", was burnt.

Rob Whitehead, from the Friends, Families and Travellers' Association, said: "What we want to do is show the positive aspect of Gypsies and travelling life.

"And also show the history surrounding Gypsies and travellers and what has happened and led us to this point."

A decision on whether travellers would be able to join bonfire societies in the procession would have to be taken by the Lewes Bonfire Council.