A WAR hero who survived the D-Day landings has been threatened with eviction from his allotment unless he maintains it.

Patrick Churchill, 91, was told he had to give up his 20-year plot at the allotments off Kingsfield Crescent, Witney, after he struggled to man age it over the winter months.

Yesterday, Mary Killick, chairwoman of the association which runs the site, confirmed that if the plot was not worked they would terminate Mr Churchill’s tenancy.

More than 1,000 people have now signed a petition to show their support for the former Royal Marine Commando and David Cameron has vowed to take up the issue.

The Prime Minister and parliamentary candidate for Witney, who is “very fond” of Mr Churchill, went to Normandy with him last year to mark the 70th anniversary of D-Day.

Mr Churchill’s family said last Thursday Mrs Killick told them he had two weeks to get the plot back in order or he would be evicted.

And after word spread at the weekend, members of the community turned up at the allotments, which were set up in 1947 specifically for returning war veterans, to help clean it up.

Then the family said Mr Churchill received an eviction notice on Monday.

But yesterday Mrs Killick said they had revoked it: “The termination has been suspended because the work has been done.

"But we will be looking at the allotment on our monthly check. If the plot isn’t worked there will be a termination of tenancy.”

Mr Churchill’s son Frank, said: “It’s caused a great deal of distress to my father. He grows vegetables mostly, rhubarb, potatoes, spinach and has fruit trees as well. Years ago he was highly commended in the best kept allotment contest.

“The allotment is what keeps him going, Of late he hasn’t been able to devote as much time as he’d like, because of poor health and the weather, and the plot fell below acceptable standards.”

Mrs Killick, one of nine committee members, said: “I did say it was two weeks when I saw them, which was my mistake.”

She said: “We sent him a letter in February saying he needed to do the work by the end of March or he would be evicted and he didn’t. Under the tenancy agreement he needs to keep it cultivated.

“He told us he was having problems but didn’t take the help when it was offered.”

Frank said his father had tried to explain his situation.

Yesterday he described the move as a “stay of execution” and “not a satisfactory resolution to the situation.”

Mrs Killick said: “I appreciate that he’s of a certain age but it’s a level playing field. We can’t treat him any differently.

"We have 54 people on a waiting list and if someone’s not keeping their plot cultivated then we need to give it to someone who will.”

Over the weekend Frank, 46, and others worked on the plot and split it into two.

Frank said: “We worked hard with a wonderful community of volunteers who were prepared to step in and help when they saw an old chap who needs a bit of help.”

Mr Cameron’s spokeswoman Julia Spence said: “David has met Patrick and his family on a number of occasions.”

Last year Mr Churchill returned to Normandy for the commemorations with the Prime Minister.

Mr Churchill was just 21 when he stormed the beach codenamed Sword on June 6, 1944.

He was attached to work as a signaller with the French troops of 4 Commando. After two months he returned to the UK but then saw further action in the assault on the Dutch island of Walcheren in November 1944.

Among his honours are the Croix de Guerre fo bravery in a landing at Flushing in Holland in 1944, and the Legion d’Honneur, presented by former French president Jacques Chirac. Mr Churchill later worked at Pressed Steel in Cowley and at the county council.

Patrick, who lives with his wife Karin, 84, in Newland, Witney, said: “The allotment is a nice way to get away from everybody and the community spirit is great.”