Action is being taken against 93 illegal gypsy and traveller caravans around Bristol.

The illegally-parked caravans – on public and private land – face injunctions, enforcement notices or planning inquiries.

Government records released yesterday show there are 362 caravans in the area, and most have planning permission or are "tolerated" by councils.

South Gloucestershire has the most, 255, with 197 on authorised sites.

Bristol has 14 caravans, which are all on authorised sites with the proper planning permission.

North Somerset is taking action against 19 of the 76 caravan-owners, while Bath and North East Somerset is pursuing 17 illegal caravans.

The action comes a week after a public meeting where Pilning residents protested at South Gloucestershire Council plans to build two gypsy and traveller sites and extend another.

Up to 53 permanent and 25 transit pitches are needed, according to Whitehall, and South Gloucestershire Council is holding a consultation on the plans.

Communities Minister Iain Wright insisted the Government was funding authorised sites, which would ease local tensions.

"The problem of unauthorised camping and the tensions it can cause will only be tackled through sufficient provision of well-managed, authorised sites, coupled with effective enforcement action," he said.

South Gloucestershire Council said: "Because of South Gloucestershire's location, accessible transport links and proximity to the city of Bristol, gypsies and travellers are drawn to the district.

"The council takes action against unauthorised encampments.

"The council has been directed by the Government to urgently allocate more accommodation for gypsies and travellers and the Government believes this should reduce the number of unauthorised encampments."

North Somerset Council said it was taking action on seven or eight sites – not all of them involving travellers.

"One guy's living in a caravan on a piece of land he's bought, but he doesn't have planning permission," it said.

North Somerset Council said three sites in the Hewish area, on the A370 between Weston-super-Mare and Congresbury, involved traveller caravans.