Bristol's famous 'van dwellers' have been banned by a council - from TALKING to local residents.

The off-grid community have spent the last few years living in caravans, transits and horse boxes around Greenbank Cemetery in the trendy suburb of Easton.

They say because of the housing crisis they cannot afford to rent - despite many being from middle class backgrounds and having good jobs.

The 'van dwellers' are taking advantage of a legal loophole which means as long as their vehicle has full tax and MOT there is nothing the authorities can do.

But those parked on Greenbank View have now been told they face fines or even prison - if they talk to residents on the leafy street.

The new rule is part of a series of measures issued at Bristol’s County Court following an application by Bristol City Council.

The council says it follows a rise in complaints of blocked pavements, fires, littering, human waste, obstruction of pavements, double parking and the rising number of vehicles.

An injunction order to ‘persons unknown’ has been placed on the vehicles
warning they face court, jail, fines or having assets seized if they don't comply.

Part of the ban includes ''‘contacting either directly or indirectly, any resident of Greenbank View by whatever means’'.

That technically means talking to people or sending messages to them on social media.

They also cannot ‘instruct or encourage any other person’ from contacting ‘either directly or indirectly’ the residents of Greenbank View.

This would stop supporters or legal teams from messaging people on the road.

Van dwellers have today (Tues) labeled the rules "prejudiced" against them.