THE supporters of Cherry Tree Nursery in Bournemouth haven't let the grass grow under their feet since the announcement that land next to them is once again being considered as a permanent site for travellers.

They have collected 2,000 signatures for a petition to be handed into the Town Hall tomorrow night objecting strongly to the idea. The site is back in play after the council decided against pursuing the approved option at Millhams because the land was too contaminated.

The nursery provides work and support for many people with mental illness, and campaigners believe any such proposal would compromise their vulnerable volunteers.

Clearly the management's action in mounting formal opposition poses something of a dilemma for them, as they readily admit. Those with mental illness are a stigmatised group, they say, rather like travellers.

But in this instance, solidarity with another minority is giving way to a wider concern for the welfare of the Cherry Tree clients.

Only a minority group with an apparent problem of discrimination in society could raise objection to the travellers without itself being criticised for precisely the same thing.

But the elephant in the room here is the unspoken suggestion that the travellers themselves would constitute a problem by their very presence.

I can't help feeling that if a similar petition was drawn up by ordinary residents on behalf of themselves, there would be a deafening chorus of criticism and disapproval.