A GYPSY mother and her seven children are facing homelessness after council chiefs refused them permission to live on a site near Wareham.

Nella Hughes, who is heavily pregnant, is now facing legal action because she and her children moved on to the official Cold Harbour gypsy site near Bere Regis without permission.

The 36-year-old moved to the site, managed by Purbeck District Council, two months ago to be with her sister Mary Cooper.

She acquired a two-bedroom caravan on one of the pitches and applied for a tenancy.

But to her disappointment she has just received the news that her request has been refused by council chiefs.

The council is also seeking to take legal action to remove Miss Hughes and her family for trespassing on the site.

Despite this the seven-month pregnant mother has vowed to stay on the site until she is physically thrown off.

She cannot understand why her application has been refused and is adamant she will stay.

"They will not give me a reason," she said. "I am going to stay where I am at the moment until they take me to court.

"If they do not give me a tenancy I am going to be homeless. I have nowhere else to go and my family is here."

Nick Coggins, principal housing officer for Purbeck District Council, has confirmed that the council is starting legal proceedings to evict Miss Hughes off the land.

He said her application for a tenancy had been refused on the basis of references received as part of the application process.

An appeal process is available and the decision to refuse Miss Hughes will be reviewed by council chiefs and also the housing and revenue panel.

"It is all based on a reference from the Borough of Poole," he said. "Therefore my decision was they would not be allowed on the site.

"They are trespassers and they have no right to be on the site. We are starting legal proceedings against them because they have no authority to be there."