More than 300 gypsies set up camp on Sheppey – but hardly anyone noticed.

Normally, there would have been uproar as the 80 or so caravans trundled into a farmer's field last week.

But this time, the families had descended on the Island to take part in a Light and Life Mission to win souls for Jesus.

Pastor Charles Hare, 41, said proudly on Wednesday: "We've already saved a few."

That night, he held a baptism ceremony inside the packed 360-seat Big Top pitched off Elm Lane, Minster.

Among those seeing the Light was a man and his wife who dived fully-clothed into a home-made pool built from bales of straw.

Mr Hare said: "It's my own invention."

The missionaries arrived last weekend but by Friday they were packing, ready to save another town.

Mr Hare, who refused to be photographed in case he was targeted by "racists", insisted: "We want people to repent their sins and not to lie or steal.

"We are preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ who died on the cross and rose again three days later."

Among the saved souls was Eddie Anderson, 46, from Paddock Wood, who was baptised only a few years ago. He said: "You should be old enough to make your own decision."

Others included Frank "Mad Bull" Ball, 69, from Cliffe Woods, his wife Priscilla, their daughter Liza Smith and her husband Jimmy.

The two generations of gypsies were adamant being Born Again is a good thing.

Frank, who comes from a long line of Romanies, and admitted to being a "bad boy" in the past, recalled: "I was born in an old wagon.

"In those days we didn't have much to do with the church. We kept ourselves to ourselves, moving from farm to farm and living our lives in secret.

"We have been persecuted over the years as we roamed the roads. But we are delighted to now share the gospel with anyone who will listen."

Meanwhile, one farmer accused the gypsies of stealing his trailer five years ago and a shop reported the theft of an ice cream.

"It happens to us all the time," sighed Mr Hare, as he prepared to turn the other cheek.