An Oxford woman, involved in a dispute over an 8in strip of land, has had her garden fence razed to the ground

Amanda Reay and her neighbour Christopher Nellins, of Coppock Close, Headington Quarry, have been involved in the dispute for five months.

The problem started in March when Ms Reay saw an advert in the property section of the Oxford Times, advertising the Nellins's house for £385,000.

The picture of the property displays the driveway with land owned by Ms Reay.

She said: "The picture was misleading as people may have thought that all the driveway was included in the price."

In the latest incident, Ms Reay said the supporting poles of her fence were sawn apart and the panels smashed to the ground with a hammer.

When approached by the Oxford Mail, Mr Nellins declined to comment.

She said: "My home does not feel like my home any more. I dread going out and dread coming home. I have found the whole thing extremely traumatic and my health has suffered as a result of it."

Ms Reay contacted Peter Bowyer Surveyors, in Headington, in an attempt to settle the land issue and obtain a joint surveyor's report.

She says she has spent more than £1,000 on surveyor and legal fees.

Mr Bowyer said: "We have reached a stalemate and Ms Reay's deed plans are not conclusive. They are fighting over an 8in area of land. A joint surveyor meeting was agreed but she said she didn't want me there."

Community beat officer Pc Rob Fisher became involved in the dispute when he spoke to Ms Reay last week.

He said: "We are looking at some form of mediation between the parties but my advice to them -- and to anybody involved in civil disputes -- is to contact their solicitor and the Citizens Advice Bureau.

"It is common sense to leave land alone until any dispute is over."