TRAVELLERS have been warned evictions at Dale Farm could begin soon. The warning from Basildon Council comes as residents of the illegal site are due back in court for the latest appeal in their long-running legal battle against eviction.

The council wrote to the around 80 families facing eviction over the weekend.

The council confirmed to the Echo the clearance would not start today, Monday, even if the hearing goes its way.

Last Wednesday their bid to stay at Dale Farm in Essex was dismissed by the High Court, but they immediately vowed to take their fight to the Court of Appeal.

A hearing has now been listed before Lord Justice Sullivan.

Part of the hearing is expected to be an application for a further injunction on Basildon Council's eviction until the appeal is heard.

Mr Justice Ouseley ruled they had delayed too long in challenging the council's decision to take direct action against them. He also ruled that Basildon Council's actions were not "disproportionate".

The judge said the travellers were breaking criminal law on a daily basis by remaining and their removal was necessary to avoid "the criminal law and the planning system being brought into serious disrepute".

Yet the families will argues Judge Mr Justice Ouseley, who refused their three appeals last week was not impartial as he previously refused reviews called for by travellers at the nearby illegal Hovefields site in Wickford.