Lawyers today failed in a last-ditch attempt to prevent the eviction of families from Dale Farm.

They had applied for a temporary injunction to stop Basildon Borough Council evicting the families from Dale Farm in Essex from midnight.

The case hinged on the circumstances of 72-year-old Mary Flynn who suffers breathing problems and uses an electric nebuliser.

The High Court in London has now dismissed the application.

Tony Ball, Tory leader of Basildon Council, said:“We are satisfied with today’s High Court decision. We will now continue with our preparations for the clearance of Dale Farm. But this will take place only after we have informed the travellers of the intended date when the operation will begin.

“Direct action to clear Dale Farm is a last resort for the council and we take it reluctantly - but after almost 10 years of legal wrangling and exhausting the judicial process the travellers have left us with absolutely no choice. They have broken the law which we are duty bound to uphold. And this is what we believe the vast majority of local people expect us to do.”

Basildon Council gave a legal undertaking to review fresh medical evidence relating to Mrs Flynn before proceeding against her.

Mr Justice Kenneth Parker said that 2009 proceedings in the Court of Appeal relating to Dale Farm were of "crucial significance".

That court had concluded that the council's decision to enforce was entirely lawful in that the Article 8 rights had been considered a number of times and the proper procedure followed.

He rejected the claim that a further step had to be taken enabling specific individuals facing enforcement to have access to an independent tribunal.

He said: "It is in the public interest that there should be finality to litigation and only exceptionally can decisions and judgments which have been determined by the courts (be) reopened."

Refusing the injunction he said the only aspect which gave him some concern was medical evidence received on Tuesday of significant deterioration in Mrs Flynn's condition since the Court of Appeal decision.

The judge was told by lawyers for the council that this fresh material would be considered before proceeding against her. The judge refused permission to appeal, although lawyers for the travellers can apply directly to the Court of Appeal.

FULL STORY AND REACTION IN THURSDAY'S PAPER