THE myths and misconceptions surrounding gipsies and travellers is the subject of a new film.

The East of England Regional Assembly has chosen to include the film as part of its controversial public consultation, which recommends 1,187 more gypsy and traveller pitches in the region by 2011.

The Echo has already reported 126 of the sites could be in south Essex.

Assembly chairman John Reynolds said: "The film brings a human angle to the difficult and controversial issue of planning for gipsies and travellers. This is a unique way of informing the public, which includes hard-to-reach groups, as assemblies develop policy on addressing the shortage of legal stopping places.

"It is important to improve access to services and facilities most people take for granted."

The film, called Some- where to Live, has also been entered for a 2008 Royal Town Planning Institute award for equality and diversity.