A CAMPAIGNER is claiming victory over women being admitted to an ancient moor land order.

And yesterday was set to be a red letter day for Danby court leet at its annual open manorial session.

The court leet's steward was expected to report that women cannot lawfully be excluded from being jury members.

The ruling follows a tough campaign by North Yorkshire County Coun John Ritchie to force the centuries-old group to allow women into its ranks.

Coun Ritchie took his cause all the way to Westminster and went so far as to warn of sexual discrimination claims unless the constitution was changed.

But court leet foreman Mr Herbert Tindall insists the order has never been against women becoming jury members - and said outside agencies should stop interfering in the court's affairs.

"Just let us get on with the job," he said, adding that members were sick of 'harassment' over the issue.

The row flared at last year's open day when former Danby parish Coun Peter Woods challenged the court leet's system of jury selection, its all-male membership and criticised secrecy surrounding the accounts and other issues.

With its origins dating back to medieval times, the court leet's stated tradition is to recruit 13 honest and loyal men to look after maintenance of common land and common rights.

After Mr Woods' attack, Coun Tindall said the court leet would be sticking to the letter of its traditions.

This week, however, he pledged that if a vacancy arose and there was a suitable female candidate, she would be considered for the job.

Coun Ritchie launched his action in the wake of a government document on the management of common land on which the national park authority and the county council were asked to comment.

Both saw the court leet as an example of good practice.

He has now had a letter from steward Mr Christopher Goodway which indicates that the court leet now understands it must accept women jurors on an equal basis with men.

Coun Ritchie said: "I am pleased the court leet has finally seen sense. Tradition can never be used as an argument to support discrimination."

Preparing for the open court at Danby Castle, Coun Tindall said: "People are interfering in something they know little about.

"I have asked women if they want to be jurors and they have said: 'Don't be silly. Just get on with it.'

"We have been unfairly treated and harassed over this and we are getting sick of it. My members are fed up to the eye teeth. We put in a lot of hard work and just want the court leet to continue.