A LONG-running battle for supremacy of the Ribble Valley air space has ended in a peaceful solution.

Model aircraft enthusiasts and a local authority met for the final time in a court room to ratify an agreement which signifies an end to a 12 month dispute.

Dianne Rice of Ribble Valley Council, said: "We are delighted to have reached a solution that satisfies all parties."

Andrew Thompson, of the Edisford Flyers flying club, said: "Peace has been declared and hopefully it will remain all quiet on the Western front."

Complaints of noise nuisance from residents in the Edisford area of Clitheroe prompted the council to issue an abatement notice on the aviators.

But three members of the model aircraft flying group lodged an appeal against the abatement notice.

The deadlock was ended when the fliers found a new field more than a quarter of a mile further away from the housing.

The only restriction that will now be placed on their activities are those under the Department of the Environment Code of Practice.

Mr Thompson of Ramsgreave, Blackburn, said: "We are delighted that everything has been settled amicably.

"The club has been flying from the old site for about 28 years and the problem was that the housing gradually moved closer to us.

"The council has been very eager to provide a satisfactory solution and at the end of the day it has been a victory for common sense."

The other appellants were David Blenkinship, of Holt Brow, Leyland, and Graham John High, of Kendall Street, Clitheroe.