An Alcester couple claim they have been unable to sell their home because of the state of a county council property next door.

Gill and Ken Holway have had to knock £20,000 off the value of their house in Stratford Road since putting it on the market a year ago and have lost out on three new properties in the north of England into the bargain.

Since moving in 12 years ago the couple have made numerous complaints to Warwickshire County Council about rats and vandalism and had attempts to rent and even buy the land turned down or averted.

The land houses the town's former fire station which was last used as a county museum and is due to be sold for development along with adjoining land belonging to Alcester Town Council.

But according to old documents there is a covenant restricting the land's use to "the benefit of the people of Alcester", which may affect both councils' plans.

In addition there have been problems with flooding in the past and it is understood Alcester Town Council is currently awaiting confirmation from Severn Trent that the land is suitable for development.

The land was bought from the Marquess of Hertford in 1920 by Alcester Church Street Properties and handed over to the parish council. But changes in local government over the years have confused the issue of ownership and one of the things concerning Mr and Mrs Holway is that the county cannot prove who it belongs to.

"We just want some certainty," said Mrs Holway. "We want to be able to tell prospective buyers what is going to happen with the land but no-one seems to be able to tell us anything."

Warwickshire County Council was unable to comment as the Chronicle went to press and Alcester town clerk Derrick Ward was unavailable.