Campaigners are claiming an international legal victory could force the British Government to think again over the eviction of travellers at Crays Hill.

Lawyers representing residents at the Crays Hill site and at Hovefields Drive, Wickford, both of whom face eviction, claim news that 300,000 Roma travellers in Greece have won an "unprecedented" case against their own Government moving them on could have repercussions across the Continent.

Dale Farm representative Kathleen McCarthy plans to deliver a warning to Prime Minister Tony Blair tomorrow stating the evictions by Basildon Council would violate Article 16 of the European Social Charter.

The campaign against the eviction is also gathering steam abroad. The Signatory Romani Associations of France has also written to the council condemning its actions.

A spokeswoman said: "The plan to evict is not a solution. Setting aside 3million euros for an eviction operation which brings not a shred of benefit to anyone is simply wicked."

Meanwhile, an appeal is being made to councillors by members of the Jewish community. Ruth Barnett, who escaped the Nazi persecution in Germany as part of the Kindertransport, said evictions amounted to the first stage of a "genocide" where a minority group was being singled out and persecuted.

The planned evictions have been condemned by Romani organisations in France, Germany and Serbia, as well as the US, Canada and Australia.