Claims of 'medieval' bullying over rents as tenants face eviction.

A PICTURE-POSTCARD village used as a set for a series of films has become the scene of a real-life drama with tenants pitted against their landlords in an almost feudal dispute.

Chris Close and partner Barbara Affleck face eviction from their rented property in Blanchland after spearheading a drive against rent rises by the clerical trustees of Lord Crewe, a former Bishop of Durham.

Four years ago, the couple moved into the idyllic village, which straddles the border of Northumberland and Durham, but are now accusing their landlord of behaving like a medieval bully in refusing to renew their short-term lease. They have vowed to resist all efforts to move them out at the end of this month.

Mr Close said: "We don't owe anybody money and have done nothing against our tenancy agreement. What they are doing is shameful. It is because we have been troublesome to them.

"They are behaving like medieval bullies - treating the village like their fiefdom and taking their money and running."

Blanchland, which has been used for filming Catherine Cookson romances and Thomas Hardy's Jude, was largely built in the 18th Century, partly to generate income for the Church of England.

Trouble started brewing when residents noticed rents rising after houses were vacated. They said it would split the village, because only wealthy outsiders could afford to move in.

Most residents remained tight-lipped about the feud.

Pensioner Audrey Murphy, who has lived in the village for generations and has organised a petition, said those on new short-term leases were too frightened to speak out.

She said: "They feel, if they can do it to Barbara and Chris, they can do it to anyone."

Jackie Bell, who lives in one of the few houses not owned by the trustees, said the couple had thrown themselves into community activities.

She said: "They have been a catalyst in bringing people together.

"By evicting Chris and Barbara they will be tearing out one of the vital organs of the community. It is all very un-Christian."

Jon Williams, receiver of the trustees, said he could not discuss the details of individual tenants.

He said: "Mr Close knows perfectly well what the reasons are and the things being paraded are not in any way connected with the decision."

Mr Williams said rents of the newer tenancies - which form about half of the village's properties - were governed by what the market forces dictated.

He said the trustees were left with no flexibility and were legally required to obtain the best price for any property rented or sold.

Mr Williams added that some houses had been vacated for the first time after many years and required refurbishment - and the rents were also increased to reflect that.