A FARMER has been visited by council officials in what he suspects is a lead-in to court action over his successful bed and breakfast business.

Len Webster is in trouble with Hambleton District Council because his income from bed and breakfast is more than he makes from agriculture.

He got permission to build his Chestnut Farm house in countryside near Stokesley on condition that his sole or main job was farming.

Yesterday, Mr Webster was visited by a planning officer and an enforcement officer.

He said: "I showed them around the facilities I had in terms of the bed and breakfast and we inspected all my farm buildings.''

Mr Webster claimed the council gave him four months to devote more time to farming, and the meeting followed the deadline expiry.

Maurice Cann, head of the council's development control department, said the council would now have to decide the next move.

The council advised on and supported farm diversification, but Mr Cann said: "What it does not mean is agriculture should cease and this activity take over completely.

"What has been suggested on past evidence is there is only a small agricultural activity and, by the terms of the condition of the building approval for the property, he has to be employed solely or mainly in agriculture.

"An awful lot of farmers are struggling. They have B and Bs but are still employed mainly or solely in agriculture.''

Years of wrangling with the council have seen Mr Webster sell off items of farming equipment to pay for legal advice.

"I am not giving in," said Mr Webster