A TWO-YEAR battle with English Heritage has left a theatre group unable to use a 14th century venue.

The Bradfordians Dramatic Society first used the Tithe Barn, in Bradford on Avon's Barton Park in 1998 for a production of The Merry Wives Of Windsor.

But since 2002 the group has been banned from using it by English Heritage, which owns the site and believes the performances pose too much of a risk to the barn.

Marian Nuttall, Bradfordians production manager, said: "I wonder about the aims of English Heritage. We want our barn to be preserved and looked after but it is a very important local asset which we would like to see used more often for local community events."

Mrs Nuttall said that at a meeting with English Heritage at the end of last year they were told a lime concrete surface might be put over the floor.

She said: "It was bewildering for us to hear that they don't wish people to walk on the floor but they are happy to cover it in concrete. It would mean they are covering it up for ever."

The group has the support of the Bradford on Avon Preservation Trust and the town council in their fight to use the barn.

Patrick Scarborough, chairman of the West Barn Committee, said: "It is supported by public money even if English Heritage thinks it is removed from the public.

"We have had various reasons why it can't be used and we are making no progress at all."

A spokesman for English Heritage said: "I can confirm that we did unfortunately have to turn down a request to perform in the barn. This was in order to protect the fragile original medieval floor of the building."

"We are keen to find ways we can work with local groups to enjoy the building, but we have to make sure that in doing so it is looked after for the future."