The travellers want to return to the land they own

The group on Abbey Fields in Pershore have been served with an eviction notice by Wychavon District Council and told to leave by Wednesday afternoon.

The site is to host an open air service on 8 May to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe.

Organisers say the event will go ahead whether the gypsies have gone or not.

The problem we have with theses families is that, in the main, they do not have a connection with Worcestershire Ian Marshall

The travellers moved to the fields after they were evicted from a site they bought from a farmer, but developed without permission, at Eckington in Worcestershire.

One of the group told BBC Midlands Today: "Hopefully they'll let us have our own land back and we can put our children back to school and let them have proper facilities."

Ian Marshall, head of legal services at the council, said: "We in Wychavon have made extensive provision for gypsies over the years.

"We have about five public pitches with about 70 pitches in total.

"There are also numerous private sites with planning permission.

"The problem we have with these families is that, in the main, they do not have a connection with Worcestershire and have migrated into this area from the south."

The travellers dispute the claim.