At a press conference organised by campaign group Dale Farm Solidarity, residents said they had not been offered alternative sites or land, only bricks and mortar.

Kathleen McCarthy said: "Tony Ball doesn't seem to realise that we searched for sites but the list, just like the housing list, is very long.

"I'm trying to get my caravan out with my 16-year-old girl inside and I can't.

"We're terrified and had no power last night so were very cold.

"They've told me I cannot leave until live electric wires have been removed."

She added: "If we hadn't had the media and observers here, there wouldn't have been just minor injuries, they would have been major. They would have killed us."

Mrs McCarthy said protesters were not intent on violence and had intended to "lock on" and resist peacefully.