Bailiffs evict academy protesters

Officials pulled down tents and carried members of the Grass Roots Association of Social Sports (GRASS) off the site.

In a show of defiance two protesters climbed trees and a third D-locked herself to a tree, requiring it to be cut down. The woman then locked herself to a fence before being arrested.

Bailiffs called in a JCB to dismantle a seven foot temporary blockade which had been put up to stop lorries getting on the site. It was temporarily put out of action after the tyres were slashed.

After locking the main gates of the site officials have begun guard dog patrols of the perimeter, while business owners wait outside for the stand-off to end.

An eye witness said: "The bailiffs moved onto the site and started throwing the tents and chairs into the bushes.

"It got very heated and there was a big row."