TRAVELLERS tore apart a York farm building within hours of invading the property, an angry York woman said today.

Joyce Skilbeck claims a group of six or seven travelling families stripped Thornfield Farm, at New Lane, Huntington on Sunday - even ripping out the sinks and floorboards in the bathrooms.

The York pensioner, who looks after the land for her 90-year-old stepfather, James Denby, said she was "disgusted" after learning the travellers had invaded the farm and set up camp before, she claims, they systematically destroyed the house and garage.

Mrs Skilbeck said the invaders:

Smashed security cameras in the garage designed to keep intruders out

Tore out sinks and piping

Took the house's copper water system

Ripped up floorboards in the bathroom

Threatened her brother and cousin when they went to investigate.

Mrs Skilbeck said the group, travelling in caravans, forced open a padlock at the farm, which is currently for sale, before moving in.

"I was away at a dog show when I heard," she said.

"I rang my brother and asked him to check. He went up there and he rang me and said the group came at them with crowbars.

"I came home and drove past and I could see they had got into the house and I could see the back door was open. I went to the police and told them.

"They had stripped the farm within a day. I think it's disgusting that something like this could happen - especially to a 90-year-old man. We've got insurance, but we're still looking at some inconvenience. It can't be sold at the moment. It was unbelievable.

"They told my brother they would smash his car up if he didn't leave. It's appalling. My stepfather worked hard all his life and now someone has come along and destroyed that in a few short hours. It's like robbing a blind man."

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "We received a call from Mrs Skilbeck yesterday evening, but we are not aware of any great amount of damage.

"Officers attended and travellers were at the house. Apparently there was no electricity, so the officers went back in daylight."

He said three people had been arrested and were currently on police bail.

Updated: 09:37 Thursday, October 20, 2005