A TEARFUL Timperley resident told SAM how she’s been forced to rip up the back garden she’s spent nearly £5,000 refurbishing.

Ness Jones, who lives on Wellington Road said she’s been forced to return the land to its owners - Wellington Academy - because of a clause in the 50 year lease.

The 63-year-old widow said the clause states the school can re-claim the land at any time after giving her three months notice and added that it wants to use the space as a spectator area for its new all-weather pitch.

She said: “I think its absolutely dreadful - when I’ve spent nearly £5,000 to put it all in. Then its going to cost me to block up my French doors and to re-decorate.”

She said the loss of the back garden will also reduce the value of her property.

Ness, who has lived in the property for more than 30 years, said she spent the money on flagging, new fencing and lighting.

Mrs Jones said she was unaware of the condition in the clause and the matter had previously been handled by her late husband, Barrie.

Ness said support for her plight has come from a variety of sources, including the Altrincham and Sale West MP Graham Brady.

She also said she has offered to buy the land from Wellington Academy - “to no avail.”

Mr Brady said: “Mrs Jones is very concerned that she is going to lose the small strip of land that she has been leasing from Wellington School to use as a back garden. I have taken this up with the school but they maintain that they need the land in connection with a viewing area for their all-weather pitch. I feel very sorry for Mrs Jones who has made this small area into a very pleasant garden but it seems that the school is acting within its rights.”

No-one from the Academy was available for comment.