Incensed Minety villagers say the latest judicial decision making illegal gypsy camps across the country untouchable is another blow to residents' rights and proves the Government is squarely behind the gypsies.

Appeal Court judges last week ruled to give three gipsy families who moved on to land they bought in Chichester, West Sussex, the right to stay even though they had no planning permission to live there.

They said that under Article Eight of the European Convention of Human Rights, settlements must be respected even if they were in flagrant breach of planning law.

But campaigners from Minety Action Group (MAG) say the decision is ridiculous.

North Wiltshire District Council tried to evict 16 gypsy families after they bulldozed their way in without planning permission in August 2003.

But High Court Judge John Weeks decided they could stay until a public planning inquiry in February.

Minety residents fear their human rights will be discarded because Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott will make the final decision on the appeal.

MAG leader Verina Hyland said: "He has clearly thrown himself behind the gypsies' case. I would like him to tell me why I cannot break the law too.

"The Government is treating me like a second-class citizen. Time after time these people are being allowed to do what the rest of us cannot. This encampment is a housing estate in the countryside.

If the gypsies want to lead a settled life, let them go buy a house and do what the rest of us do and lead a normal residential life. Nobody is a special case."

David Brown, chairman of Minety Parish Council, said the Appeal Court Judgement highlighted blatant double standards.

Mr Brown said: "The villagers in Minety have no axe to grind with the gypsies but it is the principle of the matter."