A CHARITY that works with people with severe mental illness is urging Bournemouth council to rule out the possibility of siting an official travellers' camp next to it.

Jessica Davies, manager of the Cherry Tree Nursery in Northbourne, claims the project would not be able to continue if travellers were to set up home next door.

And she is urging the charity's many supporters to back it in its efforts to get the site ruled out of the equation.

The Vicarage Fields site next to the nursery is being revisited after plans to create an official travellers' camp on land at Millhams fell through. Sites at Westbourne and Townsend are also being reconsidered Jessica said the nursery was opposing the idea reluctantly because they recognised the traveller community was stigmatised and excluded in much the same way that people with mental health problems are.

But she said the need to protect Cherry Tree Nursery's volunteers came first.

"Many of our volunteers believe they would not feel safe to come to the nursery if the travellers' site was located on Vicarage Fields," she said.

"They have also said that they would not be alive today if they have not come to Cherry Tree Nursery, where they have discovered a safe haven in which to work usefully while recuperating gradually. We hope this clarifies the possible implications of Bournemouth Borough Council's proposal."

Judith Geddes, executive director for Adult and Community Services, said nothing had yet been ruled in or out.

"The council is currently reconsidering the alternative proposed locations in the borough for a gypsy and traveller transit site," she said.

"As part of this process we are evaluating these locations and making visits to the sites. The council is listening and we are aware of local residents' views and concerns and we hope to be able to make a decision on whether a suitable site has been identified in the very near future."