Most of those camping, after erecting a barricade, moved off the site peacefully, with 20 people arrested by police.

The camp was set up outside St Paul’s back in October, as part of an international protest against corporate greed. The group were refused permission to appeal against their eviction last week.

High Court judges has ruled that the eviction was “lawful and justified”.

One protester, George Barda told the BBC that "It's not the beginning of the end, it's the end of the beginning.”

He added, "My personal concern is that we don't allow the drama of this event to eclipse the huge and important issues that we in this country and billions across the world are increasingly facing.”

In a statement, The City of London Corporation responded, "We regret that it has come to this [eviction] but the High Court Judgment speaks for itself and the Court of Appeal has confirmed that judgment.

"The City of London Corporation is ensuring vulnerable people are being helped and supported to find appropriate accommodation in partnership with Broadway, a charity for the homeless."

Many of the protesters have moved to a disused building in Islington, named “The School of Ideas” by activists, but they will be removed and the site bulldozed this morning.

Others have moved to another site in Finsbury Square.