EASTON Royal farmer Graham Cooper has denied reports that he deliberately drove his Land Rover at marshalls stewarding a motorcycle event on a green lane across his 680-acre farm.

Eighty members of the Swindon and District Motorcyle Club took part in a long distance road trial with 17 off-road sections.

It was reported last week that Mr Cooper, 37, had deliberately driven his off-road vehicle at the two marshalls making them jump to safety, but on Monday he said this was not the case.

The father-of-three said he and some of his neighbours in Easton Royal had been annoyed at the speed of some of the competitors through the village.

"I flagged a few down because of the speed they were doing. I was worried because I have three young children and if one of them had stepped out in the road they would not have stood a chance," he said.

"I thought I would drive up and down the track they were using in my Land Rover to slow them down a bit. When I pulled up the two stewards obviously thought I was going a bit quick and, in all fairness to them, they jumped up on a bank. I had my six-year-old son, Ben, with me so there is no way I would have driven deliberately at anyone."

Mr Cooper said he apologised to the two stewards in case they had thought he was driving too close to them. "I told them I was going to ring the police to see if they were allowed to obstruct the highway," he said.

He had explained to police that he was concerned at the speed of the motorcycles. Mr Cooper said he was not given a caution by police as reported in the Gazette last week and this was confirmed by Sgt Andy Peach, the acting station commander at Marlborough.

Motorcycle club secretary Sandra Worcester said notices had been put up to let landowners and villagers know the trial was taking place. She said all the competitors were advised of the need to keep within speed limits through villages and past homes.

Mrs Worcester said: "Everything was done properly as far as the club was concerned."

She said stewards had called the police because they were concerned at the way Mr Cooper drove towards them, but they didn't want further action.