The High Court has ruled that a group of travellers must vacate their current site or face arrest.

The 73 people who have been living on Birch Field in Epping Lane, Stapleford Tawney, since August were said to be in breach of a 2006 court order banning use of the site.

Yesterday Epping Forest District Council obtained permission at the High Court to enforce the order, meaning the travellers can be forcibly removed by police if they do not leave by November 27.

All the adults in the group were handed suspended prison sentences of between four and six months for contempt of court following the breach of the 2006 order.

Two travellers, Patrick Donovan and Patrick Gammell, were held for breaching the 2006 order as they arrived at court and later released.

A previous application by the travellers for permission to use the site was turned down.

Council leader Chris Whitbread said: “I want to thank His Honour Judge Seymour for upholding the injunction and sending a clear message that the laws which protect our Green Belt and countryside apply to us all.

“I hope the travellers who remain unlawfully on site will understand the implications of the decision and co-operate now to clear the site with the minimum damage or delay.”