DEFIANT farmer Arnold Davenport sounded his bugle, heralding the start of a protest march through Harwood.

Banner-waving residents chanted and cheered their support, waving placards as they marched through the village to try to stop their neighbour from being evicted.

Passing motorists sounded their horns to back the marchers, who started their journey at Nab Gate Farm in Stitch-Mi-Lane, which has been Mr Davenport's home for 43 years.

The farmer has been served an eviction order and is due to appear in Bolton County Court on September 5.

Mr Davenport faces eviction because landowner Christopher Holt wants to redevelop the land.

Ian Broadley, chairman of the Harwood Action Group, led Saturday's demonstration alongside local Labour MP David Crausby.

Mr Crausby, MP for Bolton North-east, said: "Primarily, my concern is for Arnold. Although I don't think there is anything further that I can do through Parliament, I wanted to show my support."

Mr Broadley, who confirmed that Mr Davenport had now found legal representation, said: "We want to fight for a corner of England.

"We do not want development of this farm. We want to save these green fields and we want Arnold to stay."

Bare-chested and smiling, Mr Davenport attracted attention as he walked along the busy Hardy Mill Road blasting his 1816 antique bugle. It was the same instrument he blew during his rooftop protest defying bailiffs at his farm nearly three weeks ago.

Mr Davenport, who was waved and cheered through the village like a mini celebrity, said: "I knew that there was a march, but I didn't think that I was going! I was busy in the fields when they turned up.

"These people have done everything for me. I must have done something right for this community to have got all this support."

Cllr Diana Brierley said that the support was "absolutely phenomenal".