ROSALIND Craven had the guts to stand up for what she believed in. She took on a mighty monopoly, the National Grid, and lost.

Her defeat was a blow to all who object to the giant pylons. And most North Yorkshire residents are implacably opposed to the plan to disfigure our countryside with an immense powerline merely to satiate the electricity needs of the south of England.

Today we salute Mrs Craven's brave stance, and utterly condemn the intimidation tactics of the National Grid.

On Tuesday the High Court granted the company access to build three of the pylons, each as tall as Nelson's Column, on her farm at Huby. That left Mrs Craven facing a bill for costs.

And what a bill. In pounds and pence, it reveals the National Grid as the worst kind of corporate bully.

The company is claiming £5,635 for a poor quality half hour video of its officials confronting Mrs Craven at her farm gate. This extortionate amount is explained by the National Grid's decision to hire a specialist, London-based video firm.

That, along with the deployment of a team of no fewer than 11 solicitors against Mrs Craven, who represented herself in court, implies one thing. Angered by the temerity of Mrs Craven's defiance, the National Grid chose not merely to challenge her but to crush her.

So the multi-billion pound company deployed its heaviest artillery against a North Yorkshire farmer's widow. Its victory was less than heroic. Little wonder no other landowner chose to mount a challenge.

A district judge will now decide how much Mrs Craven should pay. She may lose her home.

Having put her under such intense pressure, it is time for National Grid to relent. We wholeheartedly back campaign group Revolt's call for it to waive all legal fees.

Otherwise it will be forever known as the company which tramples over people in much the same way as its giant pylons will trample over our countryside.

Updated: 10:58 Thursday, December 12, 2002