A SITUATION in Kinver in which an elderly villager was threatened with eviction by a group staking a claim on his property has reportedly been resolved.

A man, in his 70s, was allegedly told to leave the somewhat tumbledown house off The Hyde that he'd lived in his entire life by a group of travellers who ram-raided their way onto the land with a 4x4 and set up camp.

Police and council officials say they have worked together to try to resolve the matter, which saw police officers called out on Saturday August 21 and Tuesday August 24, and which left residents in and around The Hyde on tenterhooks.

It's understood the elderly gentleman, who is well-known in the village, was asked to produce the deeds to his home to prove ownership after those staking a claim on the land were said to have made a handshake deal for the property at a horsefair.

People living nearby have since reported on Facebook that those who set up camp have now left and it's understood a tent that was pitched on the land and a vehicle that rammed into the garden have gone.

Maggie Quinn, community wellbeing and partnership officer at South Staffordshire Council, said: "Through partnership working with South Staffordshire Council and Staffordshire Police this matter has now been resolved."

It is believed the group involved left telling police they would not return as they were intimidated by neighbours.

A spokesman for Staffordshire Police, however, issued a cautious response regarding the situation - today saying: "Officers are working with the local authority, land registry and the local residents to secure the area.

"Police will continue to patrol the location and take action if offences are being committed."