Protesters of tree felling beside Newark Library, which will pave way for London Road carpark extension, settle in for night as they refuse to leave

Four campaigners are settling in for the night at the site of a tree protest on land next to Newark Library.

Huddled under blankets in their deck chairs, protesters are determined to occupy the site for as long as is necessary to prevent any effort to fell four age-old trees — which are set to be removed to pave the way for the London Road carpark extension.

Supporters continue to offer encouragement outside the metal fences that were erected this morning (Thursday) and are supplying the campaigners with hot drinks, Domino's Pizza and ponchos.

A short time ago, huge cheers greeted the departure of 86-year-old Jo Smith, of Averham, as she left the protest having been there all day.

Those who stay remain in defiance of a legal order to quit the site and have been told they are committing the offence of aggravated trespassing.

Police warned protesters they were liable to arrest if they defied the instruction to leave the site. However, while some left, a number remained.

The Advertiser arrived at 8am and also stayed in defiance of the order, arguing it was in the public interest to stay.

Newark and Sherwood District Council said: "Today, Thursday, November 11, the land adjacent to the London Road carpark, Newark Library and the former municipal building is being fenced off.

"Despite the district council’s best efforts to carry out an independent ecological survey of the site last week, we were prevented from doing so by campaigners on the site.

"This survey is required before the trees are removed.

"The land is privately owned and it is not public open space."

An elderly lady living in the new Bishops Place apartments (old Municipal Building) was seen flailing her arms out of her ground-floor window as the fencing went up in the morning.

The woman, in clear distress, screamed "I'm in prison now" as protesters went to her comfort.

Wendy Patterson, an organiser of the protest and campaigner who has chosen to remain on site, told the Advertiser she was willing to be arrested for what she said was the right thing to do.

All sides involved were respectful of each other's view and there were no arrests throughout the day.

The Advertiser has now left the enclosed area, subject to the legal notice, but only after assurances no arrests would be made tonight.