A FAMILY who live in an ambulance at a Waterside beauty spot have been ordered to move in a boundary dispute that has cost taxpayers thousands.

They conceded they had been camped on council land after a nine-month legal row which centred on the thickness of a line on a map. It had a five-metre margin of error.

A judge confirmed the council owned the land and ordered that an independent surveyor physically mark out the boundary on the edge-of-waterfront road in Hythe.

New Forest District Council now has the right to evict the Hanna family, who declared themselves homeless after falling behind in rent.

But residents, who complain they have created an eyesore, fear they will just move a couple of yards on to the verge of the highway, at the junction of Shore Road and Frost Lane.

Paul Hanna, 37, who lives with his wife Tracy, 35, and 16-year-old daughter, in a 23-year-old ambulance, said they had already moved off the council's land.

He insisted: "We're are not trying to be awkward. We have no choice. If there was another option we would take it."

Mr Hanna, a motorbike courier, said locals had told him he was not on council land and he moved following an independent surveyor's ruling.

At a hearing at Southampton Crown Court, Judge John Sparrow awarded the council 80 per cent of costs, but acknowledged they probably wouldn't be recoverable.

Council estates manager Andy Broom said: "It's a moral victory because we have said all along they were on our land. I suspect we will have to get the bailiffs in."

He estimated the case had cost taxpayers more than £10,000.