AN ongoing feud between gardeners on an allotment in Camborne, which has allegedly involved poisoned plants and threats of violence, has been described as "world war three."

John Sandry, 70, of Pengegon Parc, claims that bully boy tactics have been used to kick him off the allotment he has worked for ten years.

Mr Sandry says that problems started several years ago on the allotments, at Enys Road, after an incident involving a homeless person who was seeking shelter on the land.

He alleged that the homeless person was threatened and that he had tried to defend him. Since then, he claims, a "campaign of hate" against him was launched by several other gardeners.

Several letters were sent to the Camborne Produce Association from Mr Sandry and other plot holders alleging that he had been verbally abused, threatened with violence and in some cases even spat at. Mr Sandry, who has won several cups for the best kept allotment in Kerrier, said: "I have done everything I can to avoid confrontation with these people and they are basically using bully boy tactics to get me out.

"I have become the subject of a campaign of mischief and have had plants poisoned and my tunnels slashed. Obviously I cannot prove who did it, but some people have deliberately set out to make my life at the allotments a misery."

After another barrage of letters to the Produce Association from both sides of the feud a meeting was called by Camborne town council's amenities committee to discuss the situation.

During the meeting, which was held in October last year, the committee heard from both sides who both denied the claims previously made against them. The committee decided to issue a warning to both Mr Sandry and a former Produce Association official, and put them both on probation for six months.

The probation period was due to last until April 9 this year and stated that both parties must adhere to terms of the tenancy agreement and that they must not use threats of verbal or physical abuse to fellow plot holders or their tenancy agreement would be terminated instantly.

Four months into the probation period another letter was sent to the Produce Association stating that Mr Sandry had breached his probation and had threatened a fellow gardener at the allotments.

Following the complaint a meeting was called and Mr Sandry was invited along with the complainants to try and resolve the situation.

Jeff Collins, chairman of the amenities committee, said: "We gave both sides plenty of time to put their case across. It was done fairly and democratically but at the end the committee decided that Mr Sandry had breached the agreement of his tenancy as he had not adhered to the requirements of the probation period.

"I stand by the committees decision, which was unanimous, and firmly believe it was the right choice."

Reg Bennett, secretary of the Camborne Produce Committee and town clerk of Camborne, added that it was very sad that things had worked out this way as he felt there were no winners in a situation like this. "It is like World War Three down there," he said.

Mr Bennett added: "The whole thing was dealt with exactly as it should be. We used guidance form the National Society of Allotments and Leisure Gardeners. Mr Sandry has claimed that he was told he could not bring anyone with him to the meeting to defend him but that is not the case, he could have brought anyone he liked.

"After the probation period was given to both parties all he had to do was keep his head down and stay out of trouble. Sadly we received a letter stating he had broken the agreement and action had to be taken."

Mr Sandry claims that he is not allowed back onto the allotments even to get his belongings and garden equipment but Mr Bennett assured that Packet that he has 14 days to clear his possessions from the day his tenancy agreement was terminated.

Mr Bennett added: "It is very sad that things have happened this way. Mr Sandry has been a great help to many people on the allotments. He has always helped newcomers and is always willing to lend a hand and offer gardening advice. It will be a great loss to the allotments."

This sentiment was also backed up by gardener and friend of Mr Sandry, Chris Breedon. He said that without Mr Sandry's help he would not have been able to maintain his plot.

Mr Breedon said: "I remember the first words John said to me when I first got the allotment. They were can I help you?' That is just the kind of person he is and it is very sad that bullies are winning and have forced him out."