CAMPAIGNERS are claiming what they hope will be the final victory in a long-running battle to protect a farm from development schemes.

Plans to develop Home Farm, on the outskirts of Guisborough, which houses early-Victorian water-powered agricultural machinery, led to widespread protests.

Now, a Government planning inspector who oversaw a public inquiry into the National Park's Local Plan - the document that lays down planning policy - has recommended that the farm be given special protection from future development.

Campaigners against proposals to alter the character of the farm - including the Home Farm Action Group, MP Ashok Kumar and Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council - are celebrating the news.

Mr Kumar said: "The campaigners embodied the fighting spirit of people who were determined not to see their environment spoiled by development which would have utterly ruined the character of a beautiful group of farm buildings.

"It also threatened the future of the tenant farmer and his family. I was glad to be part of this fight."

John Wright, action group chairman, said: "This appears to vindicate the stand we took all along - that this farm is a priceless part of our local heritage and should not be allowed to be the plaything of property developers."