A retired racehorse trainer has launched legal moves to oust his former son-in-law from his farm home.

Peter Easterby, of Habton Grange, Great Habton, near Malton, has launched legal moves to gain possession of Winifred Farm at Amotherby, where David Timm lives with Mr Easterby's grandson Christopher, 15. Mr Timm says if the case succeeds they will be left homeless.

A spokeswoman in the listings section at York County Court confirmed that a three-day hearing taken out in the name of Habton Farms was scheduled to begin there on December 9.

It will decide whether the limited company, which is wholly owned by Mr Easterby, should be allowed to regain possession of the farm from Mr Timm.

Mr Timm was married to Mr Easterby's daughter Caroline, but their 18-year marriage ended in divorce in 1996.

Since then, Mr Timm has continued working Winifred Farm, where he used to live with Caroline, Christopher and the couple's daughter Victoria, 18, who now lives with her mother.

Mr Timm claims he has an agricultural tenancy which entitles him to continue farming and living at Winifred Farm with his son. He is opposing the moves by Mr Easterby.

Solicitor Paul Milligan, of Keeble Hawson Moorhouse, in Leeds, who is representing Mr Timm, said: "If a possession order is granted, it will make life extremely difficult for Mr Timm and his son, and at one of the worst times of the year - just before Christmas."

Mr Timm, who has lived at Winifred Farm for eight years, said today: "It's pretty horrendous really what they're trying to do. It's going to be very unpleasant.

It's costing me thousands of pounds in legal fees. It's a case of either fight and try to win or go bankrupt."

Mr Easterby was not available for comment when the Evening Press contacted Habton Grange today.

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