Private security and plain clothed and uniformed police were on standby amid fears of trouble at last night's crunch meeting.

However, the whole event passed off peacefully.

The packed audience at the Mirren Studio in the Towngate Theatre waited patiently as the debate rumbled on for more than two-and-a-half hours.

The only sign of tension came when rival travellers and settlers booed and hissed each other's comments during a series of speeches.

As Sylvia Buckley, chairman of the committee, urged travellers to find new homes before an eviction was necessary, people shouted: "You are treating us worse than scrap by flinging us on to the road. You are heartless people."

When people moved outside, banners were produced for the media and meeting agendas tossed into bins.