A FAMILY facing eviction from their home near Selby after a five-year struggle have paid tribute to the "overwhelming" support from their neighbours.

Gwen and Graham Marshall have only a month to leave their converted caravan in Foggathorpe, near Bubwith, after a public inquiry ruled their home is illegal.

The couple, who live with their 13-year-old son, also called Graham, lost their long-running battle at the inquiry in October.

But after East Riding of Yorkshire Council handed them an eviction notice they say they have been touched by more than 100 residents who have signed a petition backing their case and dozens of letters of support.

Gwen, 41, a cleaner, said: "We had no idea we had this much support in the community. The public support we have received has been absolutely overwhelming.

"We can't believe it. I am amazed and I am so grateful to all of them."

The council has now given the family an extra month to comply, and say they must leave by May 19.

The couple bought their land by the A163 in 1995 and a friend moved into a caravan there a year later. In 2001 the couple moved in.

Planning officers ruled the site was illegal because it had no planning permission but the family argued it had been occupied for four years, giving them a right to live there.

Graham, 45, a construction worker, said the battle against the council ruling had pushed the family to its limits.

"We have been devastated for five years," he said.

"Everything in our lives has been affected. It has taken over our lives. We very nearly split up over it because of the stress.

"We have spent nearly £14,000 on legal fees, but we had a clear case. It should never have come to this. I feel victimised by the council. It feels like there is nothing we can do to stop this process."

Foggathorpe resident Sue Mayman, 39, said the couple had massive support in the small community.

She said: "It is a humanitarian issue here. There is a family with a child who are going to be made homeless because the council are saying they have no legal right to be there."

Des Simmonds, principal enforcement officer at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: "The original enforcement notice was upheld by an independent government inspector at a public enquiry in October 2005, and at that point the Marshalls were given six months to comply.

"We have agreed to give them an extra month to comply with the notice, which means the new deadline for compliance is May 19."

Updated: 09:21 Monday, April 24, 2006