A public consultation has opened on plans for new camping sites for gipsies, travellers and travelling show people in Kent.

The South East England Regional Assembly wants views on its 10-year targets for new camping spaces and how they should be spread across the region.

It began on Monday and runs until November 21 - and also involves Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Oxfordshire and Surrey.

People are being asked to consider four options, which could see more than 1,300 new camping sites in the south east.

The most Kent would have in total is 330 - but could have as high a proportion as 30 per cent of the sites for Gypsies and travellers.

Cllr Moira Gibson, chairman of SEERA's planning committee, said: "After years of uncertainty over making space for the Gypsy and Travelling communities, councils now have a duty to provide new spaces in a bid to cut homelessness and reduce illegal camping.

"We want everyone's opinion on the new plans. Our proposals draw on advice from the region's councils and we'll be working with them to gather views before making recommendations to government next spring."

• See full details of the four options >>>