Travellers fighting to stay claiming they have "nowhere else to go" are believed to be buying properties abroad, particularly in Spain.

Local residents have questioned if travellers genuinely need the illegal green belt homes at Dale Farm, Crays Hill, near Billericay, in light of the revelations.

Villagers believe many of the plot-owners are living in Spain after going there to work before the summer.

Others have spotted travellers driving new French-registered four-wheel-drive vehicles in the village.

Their suspicions are reinforced in an article by traveller activist Grattan Puxon on the US-based bluegreenearth website.

He described how the Sheridan clan was spending lengthy periods in Europe.

Dale Farm spokesman Richard Sheridan is quoted: "Maybe some of us will settle over there. We'll be buying places in Spain next off."

Mr Puxon told the Echo teams of men were registering firms on the continent while the elderly and children remain at Dale Farm.

He said: "It is very likely some families will buy properties in Europe."

Many of the children from the site are registered at nearby Crays Hill Primary School and according to the minutes of its latest governors' meeting, several families are working on major EU building programmes in Spain and Portugal.

While the school maintains some children have returned, residents believe most have yet to reappear.

David McPherson-Davis, Ramsden Crays Parish Council chairman, said: "The village is very quiet and we hear many plots are empty.

"At the planning inquiry in August, virtually every plot-owner was a single mother who claimed she no longer travelled.

"Who are the men Mr Puxon speaks of?

"If they are making good money abroad, surely they can pay for developable land and not get legal aid to ruin green belt.

"According to the school report the children are not staying behind, but going overseas too.

"If this is the case, do they need Dale Farm at all? The main argument for staying is they have nowhere else to go. These facts suggest otherwise. The whole situation warrants investigating."

However, Mr Puxon argued the site was still needed for older people who have stopped travelling and who stay with children going to school.

Mr Sheridan declined to comment.