Hughie Smith, president of the Gypsy Council, which currently manages the Ecton Lane Park Travellers' Site in Great Billing, has spoken out about the number of support groups in the county that have "jumped on the Gypsy bandwagon", which he suggested led to the allegations of racism.

Mr Smith said: "I think the complaint is an absolute disgrace. When I saw it, I just didn't believe it.

"It is, however, hardly surprising that the complaint should originate from Northamptonshire, a county well known for the number of 'support groups' and other meddlers who have jumped on the Gypsy bandwagon.

"I am on record as saying that, nationally, we Gypsies have developed bow legs over the years as a result of all the 'do-gooders' and others who we're expected to carry around on our backs.

"What we are concerned about is that on occasions like this, people like ourselves should be held up to ridicule.

"I asked them to abolish the Countywide Traveller Unit because we don't need that. Everyone's hiding behind each other and we should be looking at more positive things."

The Gypsy Council is set to leave the site it manages in Great Billing on April 5 after Northampton Borough Council put control of the park out to tender.

Mr Smith said attitudes in Northampton towards travellers were "very good" but could be "naive and gullible".

He said the borough council should be strict but fair with travelling communities.

But a spokesperson for the Countywide Traveller Unit said: "The unit exists to deal with unauthorised traveller encampments and other traveller-related issues, bringing together a specialist multi-agency team to deal with traveller issues across the county in a co-ordinated and proactive way.

"The unit aims to reduce the problems associated with encampments by tackling anti-social and unacceptable behaviour and trying to find legitimate places for travellers to stay and provide a one-stop point of access for information, expertise and action on traveller matters."

The investigation into racism on the children's show was dropped last week after the BBC agreed not to repeat an episode which featured a Gypsy character.