Protesters who have been squatting at an Oxford boatyard for more than eight months could now be days away from eviction but they say they will not go without a fight.

A group of about 20 campaigners has been living at the Castle Mill boatyard, in Jericho, since August. They are battling against site owner British Waterways to keep the site for community use.

Their campaign took a turn for the better in February, when Oxford City Council agreed to look into buying the site for the community, but yesterday protesters heard a rumour their eviction was imminent and British Waterways last night confirmed it will soon be sending the bailiffs in if the squatters do not leave.

British Waterways spokesman Eugene Baston said: "They were told by the courts to leave by February 28. They have not done so, so now we are proceeding to evict. We had hoped they would go of their own accord. We appeal to them to do so as there is no defence in law for them being there."

But John Keys, one of the protesters spearheading the campaign, said they were heading for a "full-on confrontation". He added: "This could be resolved peacefully without using bailiffs and brute force, but we will fight this every step of the way. If British Waterways attempts to force us out it's a bad idea."

The protesters are on high alert and have posted leaflets through hundreds of doors in Jericho in a bid to recruit volunteers to help patrol the boatyard day and night.

Mr Keys said: "We have taken the precaution of asking people from the local community if they would stand shoulder to shoulder with us if British Waterways try to evict us.

"The community seems to be almost 100 per cent behind us and we have already had a positive response. We have to show we are a force to be reckoned with."

British Waterways is expecting to receive quotes from seven bidders the city council being one before the deadline in two weeks' time. The asking price for the land is £4m.

Mr Baston added: "The plans have been in place for some time to evict the squatters.

"If they do not go by the time a deal is agreed with the new developer, they will be evicted."