A KEBAB van man received overwhelming support at a packed council meeting last night where parishioners called for him to keep his trading spot.

Chas Caglar has been selling kebabs from his van in Stokenchurch for 23 years.

He has been trading outside the former Four Horseshoes pub on a parking space on the common.

But since houses started to be constructed at the former pub site he has been told he has to move on.

There were about 100 villagers packed into Longburrow Hall last night at the Stokenchurch Parish Council fortnightly meeting.

A Facebook page has been set up called, Fight for Chas, and has more than 1,000 members.

Last night the Facebook page's spokesman, Paul Harding, questioned the parish council and why Chas had to move after so long in the same spot.

Chairman Malcolm Penny said: "We are in a position where we have to get him off the common- I put that crudely. That is non negotiable.

"Also we have the fact the current electricity supply has to be changed."

He emphasised the council do not want to see Chas move from the village and said he could park adjacent to the kerb, instead of on the common.

But parishioners questioned why the developer of the homes was granted access across common land for the site, but Cllr Penny this said this was a decision made by central government.

He said: "Had it not been for the building work everything would have gone along hunky dory.

"Because it has been drawn to our attention that there is a civil dispute the council is in the position where we are faced with a threat of civil and criminal action if we do not restore the common as a common."

He said the parish council wrongly put the parking bays on the common and they are now being threatened with legal action by the developer.

One villager said: "This isn't about kebabs but a well loved and well respected member of our community."

Cllr Penny said he does not see any problem with Chas parking slightly further down by the kerb using a generator.

Chas, 46, from Downley, said he will do just that, starting today.

He added: "I feel so humbled. The support- I can't believe it.

"I have been there for so many years and have a good relationship with people.

"I know these people very well. I know their kids- I know everything."

The agent for the developer did not wish to make a comment at this stage.