During the two-hour meeting, chaired by senior university lecturer Richard Harris, residents were given the opportunity to raise their concerns about the travelling community which has set up in their "front gardens" in Centurion Way.

Answering their questions was Chief Inspector Andy Everitt and Sergeant Matthew Millington from North Yorkshire Police, Scarborough Council's head of environment services Andy Skelton, and Persimmon Homes contract manager Mark Taylor.

The main areas of concern for the residents were: why had this happened when it was foreseen months ago; how can it be brought to an end quickly, and what action will be taken to ensure the same thing does not happen next year?

Sgt Everitt said; "If this occurred within my street I would feel vulnerable and threatened, so I appreciate what you are feeling.

"The only way we can move them on is with what is called a section 61, but before we can issue that the land owner has to have asked them to leave.

"I have a serious issue about displacing a large number of the travelling community into other parts of the area not knowing where they are going to go, because they will still be here until the fair finishes.

"So far we have had a good relationship with the travelling community and have not seen any rise in crime or anti social behaviour.

"It is likely that the fair will take place in Centurion Way, and we have 20 officers who will be on site during that. Also I promise you that you will have officers patrolling the immediate vicinity 24-7."

Scarborough Council's representative at the meeting Mr Skelton said there had been problems finding a site for the travellers and apologised for the situation.

"This fair is not run by the council, nor Seamer Parish Council, it is run by the gipsy and travelling community. We could chose not to support them but they will come anyway, so by supporting them we are controlling it.

"We will now work with Persimmon Homes to make Centurion Way safe and to stop this happening again. Also I have got council staff on stand by to come in and clean up as soon as the fair is finished."

Residents accepted the horse fair, which starts today, will be held on their estate, but wanted assurances it would not happen again.

Mr Taylor, from Persimmon Homes said: "When we built the estate we signed an agreement to produce the land at the front as an open area. That agreement stood as a contract with the council. If they want us to change that to make the site more secure they will have to approach us with a new agreement.

"With regards to asking the unauthorised campers to move so the police can issue a section 61 order we have been acting on the advice of the police since we found out about the problem."