SQUATTERS had the tables turned on them when concerned residents regained a house for the owner who had gone abroad.

Squatters, Dave, 38, and Kelly, 22, had managed to gain entry into the house in West Acres, Amersham, last Thursday.

They claimed squatters rights, changed the locks and moved their belongings in from their caravan parked outside the house.

But on Saturday afternoon, West Acres residents realised that no-one was inside the house and gained entry themselves using a key that had been left with a friend of the owner. Residents then claimed the same rights as the squatters.

A concerned resident said: "We want to do the best for the woman who lives here. This could happen to any of us."

The house belongs to Elizabeth Jimenez, who went to Bolivia to see her ill parents, leaving the house in the care of a family friend.

The friend regularly checked on the house and on Friday a caravan outside the house and that squatters had moved in.

That night police were called to a confrontation outside the house between the squatters and angry residents who gained entry and took many of Mrs Jimenez's belongings, to ensure their safety.

Police and residents could not intervene because the law gives squatters the right to move into an unoccupied house and remain there, providing someone remains inside the building and that the squatters have not entered by violent or forced entry.

But on Saturday, when the squatters were out, the residents seized their chance and took full possession of the home.

The squatters claimed their rights were infringed when residents gained entry on Friday night and are planning to seek legal advice on the matter.

Dave said: "We really are disheartened by the police response."

The squatters added that they had got into the house after believing it had been abandoned. Kelly said she was pregnant and that they only wanted to find a place while she had her baby, before leaving the country.

She added: "We want to do up the caravan and go out to Spain."

The residents have now drawn up a rota for at least one of them to remain in the house until Mrs Jimenez arrives back on Friday.

Police spokesman Kate Spark said: "Police officers have attended to prevent a breach of the peace. The trespassers have recovered their property and have left."