A DISABLED Battle of Britain hero ended up being taken away by police after trying to get into his home which is at the centre of a bitter family feud.

Highly-decorated former fighter pilot Squadron Leader George Bennions has lived in the house in North Yorkshire for 16 years with his daughter and son-in-law.

But the couple, Frank and Connie Slade, have placed The Birches, in Swale Lane, Catterick Village, on the market and are hoping to move to a new home in the village - meaning Mr Bennions would have to leave the "granny annex" built for him and his late wife.

Mr Bennions ignored a letter from solicitors Scotts Wright, which instructed him to leave the property by August 11 or face legal action for trespass.

It said: "If after that date you remain in occupation of the property you will do so as a trespasser and thereafter Mr and Mrs Slade will be entitled to institute proceedings against you for possession."

Last Tuesday, the war hero returned from a walk around his village to find the gates leading to the £230,000 luxury bungalow padlocked.

The 88-year-old, who was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for shooting down 11 German aircraft, tried to climb a side gate. The police were called, and Mr Bennions was taken away.

He has now moved in with his other daughter, Shirley Wilson, only yards away from his former home and both sides are communicating only through solicitors.

Ms Wilson said: "It is so sad that it has ended like this. He was so shocked and shaken because he thought he was homeless."

A police spokesman said: "There was a dispute between Mr Bennions and an occupant of the house we were called to. This resulted in Mr Bennions coming to Richmond police station while we tried to reunite him with other family members. Anything after that is a family matter."

Mr Bennions was seriously wounded during the Battle of Britain in 1940 when a cannon shell exploded in the cockpit of his Spitfire.

He lost an eye and was sent to the plastic surgery unit at East Grinstead Hospital, Sussex, where he became a founder member of the Guinea Pig Club, for patients of the famous Sir Archibald McIndoe.

Mr Slade declined to comment yesterday.