Fort Beckham faces siege

It was the ultimate toy for the little brothers who have everything.

But Brooklyn, five, and two-year-old Romeo Beckham could face eviction from their £120,000 play castle in the grounds of their parents' Hertfordshire mansion.

Planners have warned David and Victoria Beckham (pictured) that, as they did not apply for planning permission for the fort, they must do so retrospectively. The couple failed to reply and a second letter has been sent urging them to submit plans for the 30metre structure, which includes a tower, portcullis and drawbridge.

If they fail to respond again they could eventually be ordered to tear down the fort.

Louis Prior, of East Hertfordshire District Council, said: 'We inspected the site in early December and made it clear that retrospective planning permission-was needed. We wrote again on January 13 to say we had not had a reply and asking what their intentions were. We have not set a deadline but there will come a time when we will have to decide whether the fort should be allowed to stay.'

There are strict planning guidelines relating to the mansion at Sawbridgeworth, which was once a local authority children's home, and which has now become known as Beckingham Palace.

Last year the couple ran into trouble with the council when they built a mock stone chapel and an area of medieval-style ruins in their 24 acres of grounds.

They were forced to stop work after failing to apply for planning permission, but were later given consent and were able to complete the project.