THE plight of Harwood farmer Arnold Davenport has caused fury among residents and politicians.

Hundreds of local residents have answered Mr Davenport's battle cry which he made in a dramatic seige of the farm last week.

They are facing a race against time to stop the farmer being sent to prison for breaching a county court order over his eviction. Residents are due to meet on Monday night.

Mr Davenport made national headlines this week when he took to his roof in protest against his eviction.

He has lived at Nab Gate Farm for 43 years and bailiffs turned up on Wednesday to evict him.

But Mr Davenport refused to leave, forcing the bailiffs to apply to a county court judge for an arrest warrant which is expected to be served soon.

But Mr Davenport is hoping to strike a last-minute deal to buy the farm.

Mr Davenport said: "I was surprised at how much support I am getting. I've now got a local solicitor giving me advice. I've locked my gate and I'm not letting the bailiffs in. I won't give up."

Since the story appeared in the Bolton Evening News, legal experts and community leaders have been inspired into action.

Residents are being urged to turn up at 8pm at the Nab Gate pub, Stitch-mi-Lane, Harwood, for a meeting over Mr Davenport's plight.

Plans by Breightmet Golf Club to change the use of fields, formerly farmed by Mr Davenport, into an extention of the golf club will be heard at a planning committee meeting at Bolton town hall on August 1.