Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council was granted the eviction order after the travellers occupied land at South Bank, near Middlesbrough.

The travellers, with almost 50 vehicles, arrived in early January, to attend a funeral of a man who died in police custody.

Contractors working on the site said they had been intimidated by some of the travellers.

Judge David Bryant, sitting in Middlesbrough, was told on Wednesday by Thomas Forrest, an agent for contractors on the site, that he was head butted by one of the travellers.

Mr Forrest said he was still concerned about his safety because he and police officers had been threatened.

He said the site had been damaged and that six caravan families, who had permission to be there, had fled because of the situation.

David Walsh, leader of Redcar and Cleveland Council, said: "Our next step is to secure the site to stop a similar invasion occurring again."