SQUATTERS have been evicted from a charity shop after solicitors stepped in to offer free legal aid.

The group moved into the former Havens Hospices store in Alexandra Street, Southend, two weeks ago. While the ground floor is empty, the charity still uses the offices above for counselling and other services.

They have now left after an eviction notice was served by High Court Enforcement Officers.

BTMK, based in Clifftown Road, Southend, offered its legal services free of charge - saving the hospice an estimated £5,000.

Andy Smith, chief executive of Havens Hospices, said: “We are very pleased to have taken back possession of our property after the group was served an eviction notice.

“Whilst we are sympathetic to anyone who finds themselves without a home, this building is used for our counselling and community hospice services so we had to act. We are very happy that this matter has been successfully resolved. Our facilities team have been incredible working alongside local tradesman to get the building secured promptly.”

Mr Smith said the cost of legal action and building repairs was a big worry for the hospice - which needs to raise more than £100,000 every week to continue its work.

He added: “There was damage to some of the facilities which will need to be remedied. The cost of the repairs, clean-up and making the building secure have been paid for by the charity, but we are hoping to claim this back from insurers.”

Steve Smith, director of facilities, said: “We anticipated that it would cost us around £5,000 in legal fees so we were amazed by the generosity shown by BTMK. Our solicitor Adam Fleming has also liaised with the High Court Enforcement Officers and the process server. This generosity has saved us thousands, which is money that we can put back into caring for our patients.”

Mr Fleming said: “Once we found out about this case we were only too happy to assist and to offer our services on a pro bono basis. We hope this gesture can help Havens Hospices continue to help their patients and families.”

The Stockvale Group is going to court on Wednesday after a lone squatter took over the Clarence Yard bar, in Clarence Street, Southend.