Members of Romany family have called on a Travellers' campaign group as they continue battling to save their beauty-spot home.

Emma Nuttall from Friends, Families and Travellers gave evidence on the third day of a revived public inquiry into William and Sarah Smith's bid to turn Freshfields in Lodge Lane, near Keymer, near Hassocks, into an established gipsy site.

Miss Nuttall told the hearing in Hassocks Romanies were the most socially-excluded of ethnic minorities.

Travelling families found it almost impossible to settle in West Sussex because there were not enough sites, which made them vulnerable.

She said: "Gipsies have the highest illiteracy rate, the highest infant mortality rate and the lowest life expectancy because they have inadequate access to health care and schools.

"They are also at risk from vigilante attacks."

The Smiths and their five children have built a wood-panelled bungalow on the land, which is in an area of outstanding natural beauty.

They say they need a permanent address because their seven-year-old son Billy has a rare medical condition which needs co-ordinated treatment.

But neighbours have complained of the noise from electricity generators.

The hearing was told Mid Sussex planners did not know of any travelling family being granted permission to build in the district.

Tim Hickling, principal planning officer for Mid Sussex District Council, said the Smiths could go back on to the road, apply for council accommodation or apply for a pitch on a council-run site.

The hearing continues.