REAL-LIFE mirrored fiction in a North Yorkshire village yesterday when neighbours stood firm to defy council workmen.

A Christmas story line saw the residents of Coronation Street spend the festive season manning the barricades to save the famous cobbles from destruction.

Yesterday, Catterick Village followed suit, with a dozen locals blocking an access gate to open land, known as 18 Acres Field, where workmen have been ripping up and destroying gorse bushes.

Their morning braving freezing temperatures paid off. Richmondshire District Council has now promised talks with the Leeds and District Angling Association, which controls the land.

It is hoped the negotiations will mean at least some of the colourful shrubbery will be preserved.

However, some of the those who joined the protest yesterday were still unhappy that so many bushes had already been destroyed.

Linda Scaife arranged the demonstration and petition, who said: "It's a lovely area, particularly in summer.

"It's where everyone comes for peace and quiet and to enjoy the birdsong, the fresh air, and the coconut smell of the gorse.

"The site has been earmarked as of local nature conservation importance in the Richmondshire Local Plan, so why remove the gorse? The first we heard of it was when the workmen turned up earlier this month. You would think the council would at least speak to people who live in the area first.''

Following on-site negotiations with the residents yesterday, council spokesman Sean Little admitted the authority had been taken by surprise by the strength of local feeling.

"We have leased the land as a recreation area for local people from the angling association and one of the conditions of the lease was that the gorse was removed.

"Now we know how people who use the area feel, we will attempt to revisit the issue. I would hope we can come to a compromise,'' he said