DEFIANT gipsies illegally camped near a Worcestershire village are taking their case back to the High Court in an attempt to postpone their eviction date.

The group of 11 families had been ordered by a Government inspector to leave the site at Eckington by today.

But in the last week they have lodged another appeal, expected to be heard in the next two weeks.

"If they had not gone today we would have considered making an application for their committal to prison," said Ian Marshall, Wychavon District Council's head of legal and support services.

"But things have moved on and I have had contact with their solicitor, who has told me they are about to make further applications for a further postponement of the eviction order."

The order was made in November, giving the families five months to move on from the site. But they have remained defiant, saying the site is now their home.

The gipsies caused outrage when they moved on to the land along the B4080 Tewkesbury Road last May Bank Holiday and put up fences, lighting, water and electricity without planning permission.

However, until the High Court proceedings are over they cannot be moved on.

"This is getting close to an abuse of the court process," Mr Marshall said. He added that the council would "vigorously oppose" the application in the High Court.

"In January they tried to get this date postponed and their appeal was rejected. Now they have left it until the last minute to get another application in."

Mr Marshall said he was hopeful the appeal would again be rejected and the gipsies finally moved on.