Houseboat owners facing an eviction order from their moorings on an East Yorkshire waterway have gone to a public inquiry to launch their appeal to stay.

Planners say the houseboat owners on Driffield Canal at Hempholme, near Brandesburton, are in breach of planning guidelines.

East Riding Council served eviction orders on two owners because they are living on boats without planning consent.

A three-day public inquiry, chaired by a planning inspector, is now underway at Bridlington Town Hall to hear the appeal.

Two couples, who have had their boats moored on the waterway since 2003 and pay council tax of almost £1,000 per year, are appearing at the inquiry.

Dennis Norris, 41, and his partner Andrea Gayton, 43, are both lorry drivers and live on a 1927 boat, Raleigh.

Retired couple Gordon Taylor, 65, and his wife Eileen, 66, live on the Mary Grace.

Mr Norris told the Mail he and his partner have had to take out a loan to fight the legal battle.

He claimed the stress is pushing them to breaking point.

He said: "We are just hard working people struggling to keep our roof above our heads without this hassle.

"I can't make head nor tale of it."

Read more at http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/news/couples-fight-eviction-orders-living-house-boats-planning-consent/article-2616613-detail/article.html