A bulldozer has been used by travellers to force their way onto a controversial caravan site - just days after the decision to close it for good was made.

Twenty-five caravans, 42 adults and 35 children, were occupying the Peak Copse site in Basingstoke, Hampshire, on Monday.

The travellers cleared away tonnes of earth and concrete and broke through steel gates to gain entry to the site.

The gypsy and travellers' caravan site was first closed down after trouble flared between feuding families back in October 1996.

Rival residents

Council bosses, who recently announced they would not reopen the site, have vowed to move the trespassers on.

Hampshire and Basingstoke councillor Phil Heath said: "They just bulldozed their way in.

"They hired a digger and bulldozed concrete blocks out of the way.

"The county council has in hand the process to get them evicted but it will take up to 21 days."

The Peak Copse site in Kempshott Park had to be closed in October 1996 after a number of disturbances between rival residents.

The decision to keep it closed early in November came with a pledge that its closure would not cause more problems with unauthorised camping.

Council bosses, who say there is simply no need for the permanent site, are looking to set up more temporary short-stay sites to meet increased demand in the summer months.