Dale Farm eviction

Tensions are reaching breaking point today as Basildon council's bailiffs begin the eviction of travellers from Dale Farm.

The ten-year battle over the site is to culminate in a final showdown which is expected to take place over several days.

Supporters of the some 400 people living at the illegal Dale Farm site have helped blockade the land, building walls and chaining themselves to fixed objects.

Travellers have been on the Dale Farm site since the 1970s, although the site drastically expanded after a group of Irish travellers bought the land for £122,000 in 1996.

Basildon council initially ignored planning breaches, but voted to take action in 2005.

Essex Police: Some Dale Farm supporters intent on violence

Local MP: Moral right on our side in Dale Farm clearance

Dale Farm resident: We are humans, not dogs

Dale Farm spokesperson: No other community would be treated this way

Basildon council: Increased Dale Farm tensions worrying