SQUATTERS who took over a disused factory in East Oxford have been given their marching orders.

Five squatters moved into the Randolph Street building on August 13, vowing to claim back the space for the community and set up a ‘Plebs’ College’.

But yesterday, landowner Drennan International Ltd, a fishing tackle firm, went to Oxford County Court and was granted possession of the building on the grounds of trespass.

There are now 10 people living in the building. They have been told the eviction process will not start until Thursday and bailiffs will not call for at least two days after that.

Squatter Jo Hogarth, 27, above left, who works with people with learning disabilities, said the squat was a real asset to the area.

She added: “We are hoping to talk to the owner now we have made contact through his lawyer. If he came round and saw what we were doing he might feel differently about evicting us.”

The group wants to agree a date for vacating the premises without the need for bailiffs to be called. They hope to stay for another two weeks, saying some of the squatters have nowhere else to live and also that they want extra time to clean up after themselves.

The squatters are holding another afternoon of ‘free university’ activities between noon and 4pm tomorrow.