Concerns were raised over the safety and mental well being of five record-breaking 'eco-moles' at Gorse Wood in Rettendon as bailiffs drew ever closer to finally breaking through their underground defences this week.

The three women and two men were still placing obstacles between themselves and tunneller-baliffs as they entered their 33rd day underground on Wednesday. In the last few days a 12th door barrier had to be dug through.

Asked how long he expected it to take to bring out the eco-protestors, an exasperated Under Sheriff Jonathan Douglas-Hughes replied: "There could be a palace down there for all I know."

The A130 eco-protestors, whose tunnel is as deep as 25ft below ground, have long passed the previous 22 days underground protest record set during the Manchester Airport runway siege.

Mr Douglas-Hughes said he was concerned for the safety of all those underground, and that his expert bailiffs had to shore up the tunnel with timber and plywood before proceeding.

"A week ago they asked for three litres of water, but it may have been a ruse to pretend they were close to the end. They seem to have ample supplies of food, and are spoken to every day via a communications set up by a duty doctor to make sure there are no health problems. Mentally they appear to sound OK."

Mr Douglas-Hughes said that the protesters were defecating into plastic bags that are brought to the surface by his tunnellers.

The bailiffs said they would not allow the media to have contact with the eco-protestors because it would interfere with progress of the tunnellers and compromise health and safety regulations.

A site press officer commented: "The tunnellers are working around the clock during daylight hours and cannot now stop this work. Nobody is allowed on site at night, so I am afraid the press is not able to make direct contact with the protestors, you will have to wait until they appear in court."

Disco Dave, the eco-protestor acting as liaison officer with the bailiffs, said that as long as they had food and water they could last out for some time.

"Of course I am concerned for their safety and mental well being, but for now they are encouraging each other and will keep going as long as they can hold out."

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