THE Eckington gipsies have flouted a district council order to leave a town centre car park.

As the Worcester News reported on Tuesday, the English Romany gipsies - with seven caravans - had parked up on Abbey Park in Pershore, beside the Abbey.

But after being told to move, they set up on Wychavon District Council's Civic Centre car park on Queen Elizabeth Drive.

The council had ordered them to leave by 4pm yesterday, which they failed to do, so the council has now taken the matter to the County Court

"They are breaking the law," said Graeme Duerden, the council's principal planning officer.

"They indicated they were planning to move but on arrival at work this morning they were still here," he said. "They are an inconvenience for council workers and the services they provide for the public," he said.

"Last night a court order was served saying we are pursuing the matter through the County Court," he added.

The case will be heard on Tuesday, May 3, leaving residents with the prospect they will remain on the car park over the Bank Holiday weekend.

The gipsies have been in dispute with Wychavon District Council since last year when they built on land they owned at Eckington, without planning permission.

One of the group, Mark Birmingham, 36, vowed the families would stay on the car park "as long as it takes".

"We've got our lawyers on the case," he said.