A group of travellers who have lived at a Gloucestershire beauty spot for two years may be evicted before Christmas.

The travellers have made their home near Dursley, and their children attend the local school, but Gloucestershire County Council has used the courts to move them on.

The council says the travellers are camping illegally at Coaley Peak picnic site, and first asked them to leave in July.

Bailiffs have been brought in as the travellers are now in breach of a possession order.

There was no proven evidence that they [travellers] were a nuisance

Justine Compton Solicitor

The travellers say they have been asking for a suitable site for years, but have been told there is not one available.

The council says it has looked unsuccessfully for appropriate land, and that its duty in this case is to provide housing - which the travellers do not want.

Justine Compton, the travellers' solicitor at the Community Law Partnership, said the possession order was "disappointing".

"There is a severe lack of alternative sites in Gloucestershire and the travellers have strong family links to the area.

"They had integrated well into the community, and there was no proven evidence that they were a nuisance."

'Site provision'

An injunction that could have meant prison for the travellers if they returned to the site was dismissed by the judge who granted the possession order.

Colin Hay, cabinet member on the council with responsibility for travellers, said there would be as little disruption to the education of the children as possible.

"The local authority will ensure that the children finish their terms.

"We need to talk to the district councils as very soon about what provision is made for travellers' site."