The socialist mayor of the Limburg municipality is installing a music installation that will blast the gypsies with loud music from 9am onwards. "It will probably be beat music that easily gets on your nerves" the mayor told newsmen after police reinforcements had been called in.

Not everybody is enamoured by the Landen mayor's efforts. Jos Vander Velpen, chair of the human rights league, says that the main problem is that nothing is being done to find solutions for the problems experienced by Roma people: "This is a sign of growing intolerance towards minorities. It's pretty ironic that gypsies, musicians par excellence, are being set to flight using music."

"They are sent from pillar to post. We need to look for a place where they can remain."

The Landen mayor can't count on support from Theo Francken, a fellow mayor (Lubbeek) and Flemish nationalist lawmaker. Mr Francken believes his socialist colleague is going too far: "This smacks of practices in Romania where gypsies are chased away."

"The arrival of gypsies in Lubbeek triggered a lot of commotion last year. We talked with them and made agreements and the council designated a location where they could stay. They have to pay a daily rate but can use power and get rid of their rubbish."