The Roberts family say the row is actually over their status as Gypsies

Canterbury City Council said the family, from Chestfield, were no longer classified as Gypsies as they had lived in the same place for 12 years.

The Roberts family already have one caravan on the plot in Kent, which has permission to be permanently sited.

The row is over a second caravan, which is illegally parked.

The family say the row is actually over their status as Gypsies rather than the location of the caravan.

Hilary Roberts has been told to prove her nomadic style of life

Hilary Roberts said: "I'm trying to reclaim my Gypsy status because the council said we've lost it because we'd been on our ground too long."

She admits they have put the second caravan on the site without planning permission, but said if they were forced to remove it the family would be split up.

However, the council said they had to prove their status as Gypsies.

Spokesman Chris Lewis said: "They have to have a nomadic style of life, move to and from work, and actually use the site as a base, rather than using it as a permanent site to live on.

"Unfortunately that doesn't appear to be the case from the information that the Roberts have supplied to us."

To regain their status as Gypsies, so planning consent can be granted for the second caravan, they have to prove they have been travelling for six weeks.