People in Whitchurch are calling for police to take action after gypsies set up an illegal camp in a field next to a cemetery.

About a dozen caravans and associated vans and cars have moved onto the field next to Whitchurch Cemetery off the A37.

Police and Bath and North East Somerset Council said they were unable to take action because the field is privately owned.

The tenant farmer Chris Lane, who has run his dairy farm in Whitchurch for 25 years, said he was seeking legal advice about getting the gypsies evicted.

Mr Lane, who uses the field for silage for his cows, said: "I approached the police and they wouldn't do anything.

"I'm the tenant so I'm responsible for the land.

"I'm seeing my solicitor. That field is contaminated now. I won't be able to use it this year."

He said human faeces had been found there.

Bath and North East Somerset Council environmental health officer Steve Hill has been "monitoring" the situation.

Residents were too frightened to give their names for fear of retribution.

One woman said: "I don't think I have had any sleep all night.

"There was a man walking up and down outside our home and air rifles were going off.

She said the police just let the gypsies go onto the field.

"They told the farmer they were here for a wedding and would be gone by Friday," she added.

Her neighbour, who is in her eighties, said: "I don't like them being there. The police don't seem to do anything about it."

Another man said: "I have to get planning permission every five years for my sheds and they come marching in and do what they like.

"It's the same old story – one law for them and another for us.

"They haven't bothered us but why should they be allowed to do it? There should be some kind of law to stop this happening."

Whitchurch councillor Peter Edwards said he had received phone calls from residents complaining about noise and nuisance caused by the illegal encampment.

He said: "These travellers were using the very next field for their toilet facilities, playing music and allowing kids to go round and round on quad bikes disturbing the peace of a Sunday morning.

"I have informed the police of this situation, since if they are causing a public nuisance I believe the police can invoke powers under Section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 to facilitate eviction from the site.

"It seems to me that Easter and spring bank holiday periods are deliberately chosen for this type of activity, since it takes longer to deal with matters."

Under the South West Regional Spatial Strategy, Bath and North East Somerset Council will have to find sites for 19 gypsy caravan pitches in the district.

Council spokeswoman Menna Davies said: "Bath and North East Somerset Council is liaising with the parties involved, but we cannot take legal action as we are not the landowners."