A HIGH Court clash between journalists and Essex Police over footage of the Dale Farm eviction has been permitted.

The BBC, ITN, Sky News and other journalists have been granted a judicial review into an earlier court decision they should hand hours of unbroadcast footage of the eviction last October to police.

Police applied for a production order for the footage in a bid to gather evidence of who assaulted 15 police officer during the operation.

The broadcasters argue that the demand for footage was too wide-ranging.

Mr Justice Ouseley ruled on Friday that the TV companies should be allowed a judicial review into the court's decision.

The case is expected to be heard after Easter.