A man has lost his bid to continue living in a mobile home in a countryside conservation area.

Thomas Coyle, 59, tried to overturn a council ruling ordering him to remove the mobile home and a caravan from land at Mouse Hall, Boxted.

He claimed he had lived at the site for more than ten years so was allowed to stay put, and appealed against Colchester Council's decision.

But planning inspector Neil Roberts said there were "serious doubts" that Mr Coyle had spent much time living there.

The two-day appeal last month heard Mr Coyle also owned homes in Colchester, London and Portugal.

Mr Roberts gave Mr Coyle six months to remove the mobile home and a caravan, branding them unattractive' features in the conservation area.

The BT van and a storage container can remain on the site.