THE deadline for a family of gipsies to leave green belt land has passed with them refusing to move and saying they have nowhere to go.

Council chiefs are to seek advice from Bromley County Court about removing the Maughan family from Walden's Farm, St Mary Cray.

Members of the family could be sentenced to 28 days in prison if they refuse to leave.

The Maughans have fought an 18-month battle to stay on the land, which they own.

But because it is green belt land they are not allowed to remain there in their caravans or build any structure.

Now the family, which includes seven children, 10 horses and a donkey, say they will have to live in squalor or spend their lives moving between streets and car parks.

Council chiefs say they are obeying the law and protecting the green belt, as well as acting on residents' wishes.

The Maughans say they want to stay because they have healthcare and the children are going to school for the first time.

They went to the Court of Appeal but lost their fight in October and were given until December 31 to leave.

There are two travellers' sites in the area but father-of-five Francis Maughan says these are not options.

The first site in Star Lane, St Mary Cray, has been without electricity for more than a year and after visiting the second site in Old Maidstone Road, Sidcup, Mr Maughan said: "There were no toilets, there was no running water, it was full of rubbish and infested with rats."

Novas Group, which provides housing and community services, runs the two sites but was unavailable for comment.

The family have been offered a flat in a tower block but this means losing their way of life.

Mr Maughan added: "You couldn't really have a donkey staring out from the window either."

The other option is to move from streets to car parks to open spaces.

A Bromley Council spokesman said: "We will continue to monitor the situation as we are aware there are shortages of sites. Our aim has been to protect the green belt and find alternative accommodation for the travellers."