Young protesters fighting to save a beauty spot from developers were today facing eviction from their tree-houses.

Rochford Council is set to take action to turf out the youngsters, who have set up camp in Etheldore Wood in Hockley where 66 homes are to be built.

Now they have been joined by eco-warriors protesting over the A130 at Rettendon - and they have threatened the council with a long fight to clear the site.

The seasoned anti-road campaigners have moved in to help the five youngsters after they were served letters by the council demanding they leave immediately.

The protesters moved onto the site two weeks ago after hearing it is to be developed into a housing estate.

The Rettendon road protesters plan to help the group erect treetop walkways and other defences to prevent any eviction attempt.

A spokesman for the Rettendon group, known only as Jules, 20, said the council could have a long fight on its hands to clear the site.

She said: "It takes a long time for eviction papers to come through, and the longer it takes, the more time it gives us to dig in, and that costs them hundreds of thousands of pounds.

"We have got our own site but we want to offer as much support here as we can. We also need people to come down and support this - it is not an easy thing to do on your own."

The council letter claims protester Christiana Tugwell, 15 and her friends aged from 14 to 16 are not authorised to enter the land, which it owns, and are therefore trespassing. But Christiana vowed to continue the fight.

Miss Tugwell said: "I would like to stay here as long as possible, because the more people who are involved the better it is."

Although Etheldore Wood is rich with wildlife, including the protected great crested newt, councillors believed they had scored a victory by reducing the size of the planned estate from 144 houses to 66. Members of the council's planning committee finally agreed to let development go ahead after hearing assurances that wildlife would be relocated.

Although most of the land at Etheldore Wood is owned by Countryside Estates, the area occupied by the squatters is still the property of Rochford Council.

Council chief executive Paul Warren said: "We are aware we have got some new people on the site and will be taking necessary action to get them off as speedily as possible, within the law."

Not moving - Determined protester Robert Martin

Hockley: Kids camp out to save woodland

They're not old enough to vote - but a group of youngsters have enough conviction to camp out under the stars to stop a housing development ruining a Hockley beauty spot.

Eddie Tugwell is only 12, but he is furious that builders are threatening to destroy woods that have been his playground for as long as he can remember.

The youngster, who lives with his mum, Maria, 53, and his sister, Christiana, 15, in Wood Avenue, Hockley, said: "I don't want to see a whole lot of houses built here.

"I love these woods and there are masses of different animals who live here.

"They will all die if they clear the woods and build more homes."

The animal-loving boy, who is devoted to his pet rat, Terry, has joined his big sister to help fight the plans for 66 new houses in Etheldore Wood.

Christiana has been living in a make-shift camp in the woods for the past week and she is determined to stay and establish squatters' rights on the land.

She said: "I would like to stay here as long as possible. As long as I am here the builders can't start putting up their new houses."

That may not be long if Rochford Council has its way. The authority is serving eviction notices on the youngsters.

Eco-warriors fighting the A130 at Rettendon have been giving her tips on how to build a long-lasting shelter.

The group of seasoned protesters have also given her advice on tying knots and have helped her build a tree-house.

At first Christiana's mum was doubtful about letting her two young children sleep rough, but she is beginning to change her mind.

Maria, 53, said: "I am against the kids camping out like this. I would much rather we fought the builder's plans by writing letters to the council or signing petitions.

"But we have written countless letters and the council has ignored them all. This seems to be the only way.

"The eco-warriors from Rettendon have visited us and they were very polite and very helpful. They have made the camp much more comfortable for the kids."

The mum-of-two has been looking after Christiana since she set up the camp with a group of her friends a week ago.

She said: "I come down every day to bring them food and water. I admire what they are doing.

"We have been pushed into taking this kind of forceful action. Up until now we have just been ignored."

Widowed Maria is supported by her friend, Patricia McMorran, 54.

Patricia said: "I admire the young people. They are doing what is necessary to save our woods.

"These woods should be a nature reserve. There are badgers and all sorts of rare lizards and newts living here."

Members of Rochford District Council's planning committee agreed to let the 11 acre development go ahead after they were assured wildlife would be moved elsewhere.

Christiana and her friends have vowed to fight on.

(Right) "I love these woods" - Eddie Tugwell with his friend, Terry the rat

Setting up camp - One of the youngsters' tree houses

Pictures: STEVE O'CONNELL

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.