THE long vigil of proud home-owner Alan Nuttall finally reached an emotional conclusion, last Wednesday.

Officers acting on behalf of the County Sheriff took possession of his beloved home on Valley Road.

Family and friends offered support to the 61-year-old as he fought back the tears after being evicted from a house that held more than 30 years of fond memories.

Mr Nuttall was the final occupant of the Moathouse estate which became the subject of a compulsory purchase order in 1999 after serious structural problems were discovered.

Adamant to hold on to his home, Mr Nuttall defied the order as Bett Homes purchased and began to redevelop the former council estate, last year.

Both the developers and the borough council made alternative offers of accommodation but Mr Nuttall maintained his stand was never about money.

On the day of his eviction, he vowed to fight on and exercise a right to buy back the land his former home stands on.

"All I ever wanted was for someone to say 'What do you want Mr Nuttall?'

"I could not accept an inferior house that doesn't facilitate my needs. I will fight with every last penny to get back this land."

Distraught, Mr Nuttall left his home for the final time with family as council operatives secured the building.

The council's head of legal and property services, Riddell Graham said the offer of accommodation was still open.

"We clearly sympathise with Mr Nuttall, leaving his home after many years," he explained.

"However, the council felt the land was essential to enable the successful redevelopment of the whole estate and an independent inspector agreed after a full enquiry.

"It has obviously been a very difficult period for Mr Nuttall and I am pleased he felt able to hand over the property with dignity," added Mr Graham.

BY TOBY ROBINSON