AN OLYMPIC medallist is set to be evicted from his home by a Wiltshire council.

An eviction notice will be served against New Zealand showjumper Andrew Bennie, who currently lives in a mobile home at Greenway Farm, Tockenham.

Officers from North Wiltshire District Council say temporary homes are not allowed in the countryside.

Councillors decided at a planning meeting on Wednesday, July 5, to serve Mr Bennie with an enforcement notice, meaning he has a year to move off the property.

But the farm owner Angus Ivory claims that Mr Bennie has to live on the site to look after the equestrian centre's 22 horses.

Mr Bennie, 43, who has lived in the mobile home for the last two and a half years, won an Olympic bronze medal in 1988 and has taken part in the Badminton Horse Trials for the last eight years.

He said: This is very disappointing. It seemed like they had already made up their mind before they even heard our case."

The horses under Mr Bennie's control are stabled at Greenway Farm, and he is responsible for their schooling, care, and management.

David Auld, the head of development control at the council, said: It is the council's policy that mobile homes will not normally be permitted in the countryside.

"The use of land for equestrian purposes is not defined as an agricultural activity and, as such, the mobile home would not comply with the council's policy."

According to Mr Bennie it is necessary for him to live on the site as he has a responsibility to the owners of the championship horses to make sure he is on hand in case they get ill or foal in the middle of the night.