A GYPSY caravan site in Hainault was given support on Friday for a £400,000 facelift bid.

Ilford North MP Linda Perham was joined by Cllr Ralph Scott and Cllr Joyce Ryan at the Northview caravan site in Forest Road to lend their backing to Redbridge Council's revamp plans.

The council will put a bid in for cash from the government in the hope of improving facilities at the caravan site.

It has been home to travellers since the 1960s and it was given permanent planning permission in 1999. There are 36 residents on the site who pay weekly rent for their 17 pitches, but the site has become shabby and outdated.

Redbridge Council has worked with caravan residents to compile the bid which will be submitted to the gypsy site refurbishment grant fund in January. A decision will be made in March.

If the bid is successful residents will be provided with better lighting, drainage and electricity. The parking layout and road surface will be renovated and the entrance to the site will be widened to make it safer for cars to exit into Forest Road.

The refurbishment will replace the sheds currently used as toilets and washing areas with high insulation day room buildings providing facilities for bathing, cooking and laundry.

Mrs Perham said: "I am very impressed with the way the council and the residents have worked together on this bid. The site now has permanent planning permission and provides a stable, settled environment. I congratulate the government on this initiative and I will be strongly supporting the bid."