A Norfolk housing authority has received nearly �400,000 in government funding for a new traveller site, it was announced today (Thursday).

Broadland Housing Association's successful bid means its plans for an extra 12 permanent pitches in Breckland can now go ahead.

The authority is working alongside Breckland Council to address the district's shortfall in traveller facilities and the search is now on for a suitable site.

A shortlist of possible locations is yet to be drawn-up and residents will be consulted once any potential sites are identified, a spokesman this evening.

The housing association submitted its bid to the Homes and Communities Agency in the summer and each pitch will provide a hard-standing for two vehicles with an attached 'day centre' including a living room, kitchen and bathroom.

Broadland Housing Association previously worked with South Norfolk Council to establish the �1.1m Brooks Green site at Harford, south of Norwich, in 2009.

The land had previously been a 'tolerated' site for travellers and now provides a legal home for eight families.

Ed Mumford-Smith, head of development, said: 'We are really excited to hear of the government's commitment to supporting the local traveller community and look forward to working with Breckland Council on selecting a suitable site.'

The �395,000 windfall came as part of the government's �60m funding programme to provide hundreds of new, authorised pitches and better facilities for travellers at existing sites.

Communities minister Andrew Stunell has announced successful bids for a total of �47m and 617 new pitches will now be created nationally, while a further 167 will be improved.