A High Court decision on whether a soup kitchen can challenge an eviction bid by Waltham Forest Council is expected today.

Charity Christian Kitchen has been providing hot meals to homeless and destitute people from a van based in Mission Grove car park in Walthamstow for 20 years.

The council ordered the eviction of the charity last year after claiming their presence contributed significantly to anti-social behaviour.

The soup kitchen has been asked to move to a space off Billet Road Roundabout, but the charity's chairman, Norman Coe, said the location is potentially dangerous and will lead to less people being helped.

An online petition, launched last Wednesday, has attracted more than 1,700 signatures, including that of London Assembly member for Hackney, Islington and Waltham Forest Jennette Arnold.

Last week several clergy men and woman across the borough penned an open letter to council leader Chris Robbins urging him to intervene and let the service continue.