Seven illegal pitches from the Wickford based site were cleared by baliffs earlier this week after years of protests and high court battles. It is believed those evicted were planning on moving onto Thurrock.

A Thurrock Council spokesman, however, stressed the need for balance between what travellers and neighbouring residents wish for to co-exist peacefully and that the balance at the moment was fine as it is.

The council would therefore, he confirmed, move swiftly to evict any illegal occupation of land within Thurrock with the full co-operation of the police. If they camped on private land, however, it would be up to the landowner to evict them.

The award-winning Bonkers singer / songwriter made the faux pas live on air when chatting to Chris Moyles, stating that Billericay had a Latin ring to it. He said “I might sound a bit dizzy but I though Billericay was in Spain – it just sounds a bit Spanish.”

The pair had been discussing possible venues for Dizzee’s new music video when Moyles jokingly suggested a beach in Canvey Island or even Billericay town centre. After realising what he had said Dizzee was quick to ‘big up’ everyone in Billericay before sending them a big “hola”!

Last month, reports the BBC News website, Basildon District Council gave those living on the greenbelt site at Hovefields Drive 28 days to leave the camp. After the deadline expired the council began work to clear seven unauthorised pitches from the site. The travellers have now moved to nearby land.

Gratton Puxon, a founder of the Gypsy Council, stated: “We’re very alarmed by this. We hope people will have some sympathy with families who look like being put out and have nowhere to go.”

Basildon Council leader Tony Ball replied: “This action, which is supported by the courts, is the final part of a legal process which has lasted many years.

“The council has done all it can to encourage the travellers to vacate voluntarily. However, Basildon Council has an obligation to protect its greenbelt from unauthorised development.”

Hovefields has been the subject of a number of enforcement notices dating back to 1998.

The Yellow Advertiser reports that more than 200 people attended a meeting at St Clere’s School, concerned that Barratt Homes could build on part of the St Clere’s Golf Course, in Butts Lane, Stanford.

Residents are also concerned about traffic congestion, loss of leisure facilities, and sewerage complications, and also fear any new homes will put extra demand on local schools, doctors and dentists.

The South East Thurrock Master Plan, from the Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation (TTGDC), has set out plans to build just 30 homes in the Stanford area.

The emerging Local Development Framework (LDF) being produced by the council, however, has suggested three Green Belt sites in Stanford could be used for a total of 328 new homes.

The ruling Council administration wish to sell off land in Kent View Road, used by youth soccer teams and families for generations, to a property developer in order to help fund the £38m it is costing to build the controversial Gloucester Park Sporting Village.

At the the latest public meeting, however, held at the Basildon Lower Academy in Timberlog Close, angry locals made their feelings clear. Waving placards and using loudhailers, one protestor stated that not a single brick would be placed upon the fields.

A behind closed doors meeting between councillors is to be held on Monday 13 September at the council offices, where there appears to be mounting opposition to the sale of this and other land.

Following this will be a final full council meeting the following Thursday, 16 September, at the Towngate Theatre, open to the publc, when a final decision is expected to be made.

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They gathered outside the Civic Offices, the Yellow Advertiser reports, in New Road, Grays, to witness the council raising the flag, as part of Armed Service Day.

The service was led by borough mayor, councillor Anne Cheale, who paid a heartfelt tribute to the Armed Forces. She stated the public will never forget the personal sacrifices every memeber of our Armed Forces make for us every day.

War veterans, council leader John Kent, and other councillors and officers were also in attendance.

Mr Kent said it was poignant, on the day that the MoD had announced the country’s 300th armed forces death in Afghanistan, they were raising money for and awareness of the Help For Heroes chairty, for heroes literally dying for the cause.

The official Armed Service Day takes place this weekend on Saturday, June 26.

Mr. Baron, BBC News confirms, recently sold the three-bedroom house for around £250,000, having bought it for £153,500 in 2000. He confirmed that all profit, after costs and capital gains tax were deducted, would go to a “range” of good causes.

Baron, a former soldier, stated that he believed it was the correct thing to do. He had previously claimed expenses for mortgage interest payments on the property, which doubled up as his constituency office, since he became an MP in 2001.

He had, however, come under fire last year over claiming increased expenses over and above the rate of inflation. Instead he will stay in a hotel if the need arises and rent an office for constituency work.

The MP, who served in the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers before becoming a fund manager, stated that he felt most people entering politics do so for public services and not for financial reward. Mr. Baron also revealed that part of the money would go to those which help armed service personnel.

A leading member of Thurrock Council confirmed that they would have to ‘act like surgeons making cuts to save the patient’, the Yellow Advertiser reported. He vowed, however, that the effect will be minimal to those most vulnerable.

Concerns were also expressed over the previous administration’s spending, with a considerable overspend in the last financial year that had to be covered by the council’s reserves, although he acknowledged people worked hard to cuts costs in that time.

He also called for councillors from all parties, as well as council staff, to work together to reduce spending further. Further details about the cutbacks will be outlined during a special meeting of full council on Wednesday, June 30.