OFFICIALS are today checking the legal status of a camp of tents that has appeared in central Ipswich.The unusual gathering of five tents has sprung up on land between the Village Car Park, off West End Road, and the footpath running alongside a stretch of the River Orwell.

OFFICIALS are today checking the legal status of a camp of tents that has appeared in central Ipswich.

The unusual gathering of five tents has sprung up on land between the Village Car Park, off West End Road, and the footpath running alongside a stretch of the River Orwell.

As our pictures show, the makeshift settlement, believed to be possibly to be inhabited by construction workers, is tucked away from view by trees and hedges.

On the ground nearby lie food packaging and inside the camp there is a makeshift hob consisting of a metal cage over an open fire.

A spokesman for Ipswich council said officers are working to assess the situation.

“At the moment it is not clear whether the land is owned by us or Network Rail,” the spokesman said.

Once the situation has been evaluated it is likely any inhabitants will be approached by council officers to make them aware of housing provision in the borough.

Encampments on private or council-owned land are illegal unless inhabitants have the permission of the landowner.

However the process of moving people on can prove lengthy as it involves seeking an injunction from the courts.

Earlier this year The Evening Star revealed illegal travellers sites had been set up 40 times in Suffolk in the space of 12 months.

Figures show there are around 460 gypsies and travellers living on authorised sites in the county, although anecdotal evidence suggests there are a further 150 who regularly set up camp without landowners' permission.

Have you ever resorted to camping in Ipswich or do you know the people at the current camp? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk