TRAVELLERS illegally camped on a former gypsy site are still refusing to move, despite being served with an eviction order.

A last attempt to stay on the Hampshire County Council-owned site at Peak Copse, Dummer, failed on Friday when the case was heard at Basingstoke County Court.

District Judge David Carney ordered the site be vacated immediately, but the defiant travellers later told The Gazette they were not going anywhere.

Michael McDonagh, one of the representatives of the group which moved in on November 13, said: "We want to stay, look after the site and pay rent. We don't want to cause problems. Our kids are getting an education and we're near the doctors."

The travellers have previously threatened to disperse across Basingstoke's car parks, saying they have nowhere else to go.

They gained entry to Peak Copse just days after the county council decided the site - which has been shut since a violent disturbance in 1992 - should close permanently.

At last week's hearing to enable the county to regain possession of the land, evidence was heard from George Summers, the county's gypsy liaison officer.

He said the council was concerned about the dramatic increase in numbers on the site and damage that was being done.

Mr Summers said that up to 45 caravans could have been on the site and the council was having to pay for all the water and electricity used.

Speaking on behalf of the travellers, Mr McDonagh said: "It was not us who damaged the site. We can't say who did it. We used water to clean the site, and have respect for it."

Hampshire County Council leader Ken Thornber said: "The council is considering its position following the court's verdict and no decision has yet been made on enforcement action."