AN ANIMAL sanctuary for exotic animals is seeking a court injunction to regain control of its rented property, following its eviction.

Peter Heathcote, chief executive of the Exotic Animal and Welfare Trust, said his curator had returned to the site at Boundary Farm, on the A68 near Tow Law, County Durham, yesterday morning but was barred from entering.

Mr Heathcote said: "At 2.40am I was informed that the landlord of our new 22-acre site had issued eviction notices on all doors, changed locks and blocked the final entrance with a large transit van.

"Inside are rattlesnakes, a crocodile, giant pythons and many other animals that need specialist medical care and attention.

"Police officers were called in by me at 4am to assess the situation and assist with access to the animals."

Mr Heathcote said the reason he was given for eviction by the landlord was non-payment of rent.

But he said last night: "The rent on the buildings is current and up-to-date. A single payment was verbally agreed not to be paid as a contribution to the costs of location signs.

"I have spent £50,000 on the development. Public funds have been used to develop the property, which is on lease for 20 years."

Mr Heathcote, who has now been granted supervised access by the landlord, said: "This is horrendous. We are appealing for help from anyone who may have a factory unit that we can use in the meantime."

He said the landlord had indicated he was not happy with the terms of the lease, drawn up by a solicitor who is a trustee of the charity.

Mr Heathcote said: "The landlords had it checked with their solicitor before they signed."

Last night, landlord Alan Turnbull said: "I am under instruction of my solicitor.

"We have done everything within the law."

He declined to comment further.