The Regency house was due to be redecorated

Six officials entered the Regency house, acting on the possession order granted at the High Court in London earlier in the day.

Shortly afterwards, the squatters emerged carrying bedding, rucksacks and guitars.

John Hargrove, Under Sheriff of London, later said the house was clean and appeared to have suffered "only superficial damage".

He said: "We will now hand over possession formally to the owner's agents who will secure the premises."

The group of squatters, who sat on their bags outside the house as officials moved in, said they would simply find another empty house to use.

Mr Davies is a friend of Chancellor Gordon Brown

Isma, from Brazil, said: "That's it, we're finished here now. We're not sure where we are going to go but there are lots of empty houses."

He added: "We've been in there for about 10 days, we are good people and haven't caused any damage. We even cleaned really well this morning."

Another of the squatters, 19-year-old New Zealender Duncan Gillespie, said: "It is a shame that we have got to leave because it was a good house.

"We had a good time, a good party. I don't know where we'll go now but I think we've strung this out as long as we can."

'No trouble'

The squatters do not seem to have caused any problems in the local area during their stay.

Dee Murphy, 52, landlady of the nearby Percy Arms, said: "A few of them came in here, they have been as good as gold."

Another said: "I've had no personal problem with them. But I think it's unfair another person's property is invaded and they are left to pick up the bill."

Isma handed a set of keys to the Under Sheriff upon leaving the house, and said: "I think I will go back to Brazil, thanks a lot everybody."

As well as his BBC role, Mr Davies is chief economist of Goldman Sachs.

He is also a personal friend of Gordon Brown's and was invited to the chancellor's exclusive wedding.