Ref. 25727-33A WELL-known couple who run a farm near Barbury Castle have been ordered to leave by the end of the month.

Lynne and Brian Simpson of Ridgeway Farm say the move, which has been ordered by landlords Swindon Council, will leave them without a home as well as a farm, and will also take away a caf business Lynne, 48, has built up.

They have been fighting plans to evict them for about two years and say they will complain to councils' watchdog, the Local Government Ombudsman.

The council announced in 2001 that it planned to revamp the 2,000-year-old castle site near Wroughton as a tourist attraction, complete with visitor centre and walkways.

But the couple, who have a 100-head beef herd and have farmed at Ridgeway since 1991, are not part of the plans.

John Short, director of Swindon Services at Swindon Council, said the council could not pursue its plans until the family had been evicted.

He said: "We want to improve the wildlife value of the land at Barbury Castle in keeping with its status as a country park.

"We are sure visitors will enjoy the site more as it becomes an even better haven for wild plants and animals.

"To allow the land to become richer in downland wildlife, with free access for visitors, it became apparent that this wasn't compatible with the land continuing to be farmed as it has in the past.

"Our intention is to discontinue the agricultural tenancy but to let a concession to sell refreshments from the existing bungalow. A new tenancy was tendered on this basis.

"Mr and Mrs Simpson did not submit a tender for this contract despite being invited to do so.

"The issue of the Simpsons remaining on the farm will be in the hands of the court and we cannot comment on this until a decision is made."

Until late 2000, Mr Simpson, 50, acted as warden of the site, but the council then switched the work to its employees.

The Simpsons would have had to leave earlier, but were granted a 12-month extension on their time limit because some of their stock were being treated for TB and could not be moved.

Earlier, their stock of sheep had to be destroyed during the foot and mouth epidemic, although the animals were not infected.

Mr Simpson said: "What the council is doing stinks. They do not treat us like human beings at all.

"If you speak to the public around here, you will see that 99 per cent do not want things to change."

"We have three children. The oldest is 17 and she could not take a place at college because of all the uncertainty.

"We have always ensured that Barbury Castle is open to the public.

"The council plans to let out the site to other farmers for grazing. Wiltshire County Council also managed the site in this way before we took over as tenant farmers.

"It was decided that tenant farmers would take better care of the land because they would take a long term approach to the management of the site.

"I don't know what we will do if we have to move. We have no alternative plans."