A 'proud' Romany gypsy great-grandfather of 19 has hit back at critics who believe his community is 'dirty', 'stinking' and 'troublesome'.
Oldy Herring, 67, the elder of the family unit, said a number of stereotypes now existed because of shows like My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding.
His comments came just a few weeks after the group won a landmark case to stay at a car park in Kent despite the council forking out as much as £100,000 taxpayer money to fight it.
The family of 15 adults and 14 children, who have established a permanent camp at the disused Wigmore Coach Park off the M2, have now shared their side of the story saying a lot of the so-called gypsy traditions are actually 'nonsense' and fake.
Mr Herring, who spoke with his wife Tina, insisted that in reality their culture revolves around family, respect for elders, religion, storytelling, animals, cleanliness, charity and community.
