BAILIFFS moved in today to evict a group of peace-campaigning squatters from a disused York pub.

The squatters set up home in the Gimcrack pub, in Fulford Road, in late May.

They had earlier been evicted from the White Swan Hotel, in Piccadilly.

Today, the group left the Gimcrack peacefully, promising to move on to another disused York building.

They vowed to keep up their campaign to highlight the number of empty buildings in York and the rest of the country.

Squatters spokesman Damo Gunn said: "Buildings are standing empty right across Britain while there are people living on the streets. Fifty per cent of the population can't afford to buy a home. We have squatted in £4million worth of property now and we are not going to stop. We will keep going until City of York Council sits up and does something about the wasted, empty properties in this city."

Craig Smith, managing director of Gimcrack owners PD Smith Ltd, said the building would be secure by the end of today. He said: "The bailiffs have been very professional."

Mr Smith was unable to say how much repairs to the building would cost.

Updated: 13:24 Friday, July 18, 2003