A LANDOWNER has lost her ten-year battle to block the march of pylons across her land.

At the High Court in Leeds yesterday the widow lost her battle against the National Grid and may now face financial ruin due to thousands of pounds worth of costs.

The judge awarded the power giant an injunction against Rosalind Craven of Home Farm, Huby, near York, forcing her to allow the company's staff and contractors on her land.

"I was expecting exactly what he said. It was quite clear that he followed the National Grid's argument," she said. "I was surprised he was quite so hard on ourselves, but it seems to have been his position from the beginning. It was very, very severe - there was not one moment of relief in the judgement at all from start to finish."

Three pylons to support the £240m power line from Teesside to Shipton-by-Beningbrough, near York, can now be built on Mrs Craven's land.

A spokesman for the National Grid said: "This was very much a last resort for the company to have to come to court in this manner.

"It has been a very difficult time for Mrs Craven and for ourselves, but we are clearly pleased that we now have our access rights confirmed."

Judge Simon Hawkesworth QC, also ruled she should pay some of the £65,000 costs claimed by National Grid against her.

She may have to pay up to 50 per cent of the sum - a decision that will be taken at a later date by a District Judge.

Mrs Craven said that the costs could force her to sell her home. She confirmed after the hearing that she would now seek to take the matter to the Court of Appeal.