NUISANCE travellers could be the subject of new laws as soon as the autumn, according to MP David Atkinson.

The Bournemouth East MP hopes his Private Member's Bill will be incorporated into legislation which will form part of the Queen's Speech in November.

Mr Atkinson has all-party support for his Traveller Law Reform Bill which aims to provide more official sites and strengthen powers to deal with illegal camps.

The Bill had its first reading in May but ran out of parliamentary time. Now Mr Atkinson has asked for it to be included in the government's forthcoming Housing Bill, a request which is being considered by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.

Numerous illegal camps have already sprung up in Dorset this summer, including at Hengistbury Head in Bournemouth and Stony Lane in Christchurch.

"Current laws allow travellers to remain in occupation of unauthorised sites like public parks and open spaces for pretty well as long as they want" said Mr Atkinson.

"Courts have to take account of human rights issues which prove impossible while the police are effectively discouraged from taking action if there are no authorised sites nearby."

He said his Bill acknowledges the rights of travellers and defines their responsibilities to others.

He said: "My Bill has been widely acknowledged by local authorities and by the traveller and gipsy communities as the solution. I am hopeful the Queen's Speech will include legislation which incorporates my Bill."