COUNCIL chiefs are threatening to take legal action to evict travellers who have invaded a beauty spot.

About 15 caravans have made their home on grassland next to the overflow car park for the Royal Armouries Museum at Portsdown Hill, near Fareham, a popular spot with beautiful views of the surrounding area.

But they had been expected to move on from the site off Downend Road - a favourite with dog-walkers and wildlife enthusiasts - by the end of last week after a meeting with a liaison officer.

Hampshire County Council, which owns the land, has given the travellers a formal warning to move from the site by 9am tomorrow.

After that they will start formal legal proceedings.

But wildlife experts are warning that the damage may have already been done to the popular beauty spot.

Friends of Portsdown chairman John Goodspeed believes flowers and small animals could be threatened by their habitat being invaded, as well as the spot being temporarily lost to walkers and wildlife lovers.

Hampshire council spokesman Kirsty Gunner said: "Unfortunately the group didn't leave as agreed so we've issued them with formal notice to leave by 9am on Wednesday.

If they don't we'll be forced to pursue an eviction through the courts."

Fareham Council and police in the town are also monitoring the group, which set up camp at the site last Wednesday.