A STABLE-OWNER is resisting neighbours' attempts to take over her land.

The picturesque patch by the River Gaunless in Toadpool, West Auckland is the centre of a dispute between residents of a nearby estate and landowner Anne Reynolds.

Residents want the land turned into a new village green while letting Mrs Reynolds, who grazes horses on the land, continue to own the site.

Mrs Reynolds said: "People on the Leech estate are trying to claim it as common land because they're unhappy at not being able to get in at the moment.

"They can't walk that way because a flood bank is being built.

"I've got all the footpaths sorted out for when it can be reopened, I've even put stiles up. The Environment Agency sent a letter out to everyone explaining why the footpaths had to be closed, because they don't want people walking over the banks and eroding them.

"They want an extension of their village green, but West Auckland has the biggest village green in the country and now they want more. Well they're not going to get it."

The bank is being built to try to prevent a repeat of last summer's floods, when homes in Toadpool were deluged. The field is also shut because of the threat of foot-and-mouth disease.

Tom Toward, from West Auckland, said they accepted the reasons for the present closure, but wanted to ensure it would reopen again.

Mr Toward, a clerk Shildon Town Council and footpaths officer, said they have applied to Durham County Council to have the land recognised as a public open space.

He said: "Basically it's land that we say and know has been used for a variety of purposes for many, many years.

"The application is supported by 34 people who have used it for more than 20 years. We're not asking for any more than we've enjoyed for decades.

"It was sold by the coal board about three or four years ago and before that the current owners rented it.

"It's used for fishing, walking dogs, informal games.

"We know the owner has rights too and we're not asking her to move. We're saying it's a valuable resource for the general public."