SQUATTERS have been ordered out of a York house after a judge ruled the owner could regain possession.

The group of squatters who have been at the terraced house in Holgate Road for almost a month were served with an order telling them to leave yesterday.

The squatters had said they were planning to go to court to dispute the claims, but failed to turn up for the hearing at York County Court.

Peter Walker, from Bristol, who owns the house, decided to take the issue to court after complaints from neighbours. During the hearing Mr Walker said he had been alerted to the problem by neighbours and had visited the house on two occasions and believed people to be in the house.

The Judge Trevor Kent-Jones said he was satisfied that people were in the house unlawfully and without consent.

He said: "They are causing a nuisance in the area and Mr Walker is entitled to the possession of his property and I make an order that the defendants vacate it and grant an order forthwith."

After the hearing Mr Walker said: "I am very pleased, I wanted them out before any damage is done.

"One neighbour has been complaining about disturbances particularly at night.

"I would like to bring the house back into use, which will involve extensive work."

Mr Walker, a retired businessman and builder, who bought the house in 1977, now lives in Bristol.

He believes it will take about a year to bring his former home back into use.

Updated: 09:34 Saturday, June 21, 2003