Echo reporter Jon Austin reports: concerns have been raised that hundreds of people could flock to Crays Hill to support Travellers in the weeks before a mass eviction.

More than 2,000 people from across the globe have pledged their support to Traveller families facing eviction from Dale Farm.

While not all of those are expected to turn up in a bid to stop the eviction, hundreds are expected to arrive to protest.

The news has led to fears among villagers that Crays Hill could be swamped during the evictions whichcould last a number of weeks. David McPherson-Davis, a parish councillor, said: “It could be a worry to residents in terms of a lot of unknown people coming into the village. It could put fear into people, particularly the elderly, with the way these sorts of protesters tend to dress and behave.”

He said he hoped the police and council would act immediately to remove any other unlawful developments set up in the village.

Human rights activists have even signed up to dig in at the site and occupy a makeshift protest camp near the illegal site in Oak Lane to try to stave off an eviction attempt.

No date has been set for a clearance, but Grattan Puxon, a lead organiser of the demonstrations, said “Camp Constant” would be set up on land near Dale Farm owned by Travellers as soon as Basildon Council serves 28-day eviction notices on the families.

Mr Puxon said several hundred people had said they would turn up to live at the protest camp.

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