A LANDOWNER said to have barred churchgoers from his car park was acting within his rights, according to City of York Council.

Parishioners of All Saints' Church, Huntington, complained to the council last month after a tree trunk was placed across the entrance to the next door car park.

They were concerned that the action breached a legal agreement made by the landowner, Roger Bowling, with Ryedale District Council in 1993.

This stated that the land should not be used "for any purpose other than as a car park, bridle way and cycle path ... for use by All Saints Church".

But after its investigations, the council has concluded that banning cars does not constitute a breach, as long as Mr Bowling does not use the land for another purpose before 2008.

Updated: 10:39 Thursday, January 03, 2002