BASILDON council has controversially pledged up to £8million towards the mass eviction of the illegal Dale Farm camp at Crays Hill.

Travellers, who held a protest outside the landmark meeting, reacted with fury and it is feared the hefty financial commitment could lead to even more council job cuts.

The authority will dispatch 28-day eviction notices to about 96 families at the site. Bailiffs and police can move in when these expire.

The whole eviction is now estimated to cost in the region of £18million.

FULL REPORT IN TODAY'S ECHO.