Travellers may escape being moved on through a court order, unless ownership of a bridleway can be established.

The travellers were first spotted in Green Lane, Dog Hill Wood, on January 22 and wood owners Ledbury Town Council served a letter warning of legal action.

But town clerk June McQuaid said: "Green Lane is not part of Dog Hill Wood, and the town council won't be able to get a court order because it is not our land. You can't get a court order until you can prove ownership. It's stalemate at the moment."

The bridleway is an ent-rance into Dog Hill Wood and its eastern boundary, but not officially part of it.

The matter is being investigated by Rob Hemblade, Herefordshire Council's public rights of way officer.

Mr Hemblade said efforts were being made to establish whether Green Lane has any public rights of way or highway status.

If it is still an official highway, the travellers could be evicted for obstructing a public right of way.

Highway status would bring the bridleway into the control of the council which, under law, would own its surface and could then seek a court order to remove the travellers.