A DEFIANT, lone figure could be seen silhouetted against the Bolton skyline yesterday.

The extraordinary sight was farmer Arnold Davenport who staged a dramatic rooftop protest in a siege of Nab Gate Farm, Harwood.

Armed with his bible and bugle, he was refusing to budge from the roof of his home of 43 years. It was a desperate last stand by the 58-year-old bachelor who has been fighting eviction for months. And it earned him extra time.

Bailiffs and police left the farm, leaving him facing further battles for another day.

He said: "I wasn't going to go on the roof. But I've got bottle and I wasn't backing down. It has been a very stressful day and I didn't need it."

Journalists and television camera crews descended on the 300-year-old property as the drama unfolded.

He said: "I'm used to seeing no-one, I'm not used to all these people asking questions."

Bailiffs are expected to return to the Victorian farm with an arrest warrant. The 58-year-old is now in contempt of court and is breaking the law every day he spends at the farm.

Neighbours voiced their disgust at the decision to force their friend from his home.

Dr Peter Smith, a local GP was among the crowd of supporters.

Dr Smith said: "He has been a very good farmer and is very well-liked around here. This shouldn't be happening."

A retired police officer, who did not want to be named, said: "After a day in the office, I used to come up to the farm and help with the haymaking. It's true what people say. People don't go to work for a living anymore. They work for money. All this is about money."

Mr Davenport, who has 60 sheep, 385 hens and six geese, says he has put in an offer of £360,000 to buy the farm.

He said: "I don't know what I'm going to do if the bailiffs return. I'm an old man, but I'm a fit old man who's afraid of nobody. I'll probably go to prison."

Mr Davenport, who started work at the farm when he was 13 added: "I have never been afraid to stand up for myself and I was really touched that the people of Harwood came out to stand by me. I didn't expect so many but I recognised many people and children. I didn't want them to get into trouble." Landowner, Mr Christopher Holt, who wants to sell the property for redevelopment has refused to talk to the Bolton Evening News. But his solicitor, who does not want to be identified, denied that Mr Davenport had made an offer of £360,000.

His solicitor said: "We have a lot of sympathy for Mr Davenport. It is not as if we are kicking a guy out on the street. We have been very friendly over the years.

"Arnold was never guaranteed to stay. It was never meant to be on a permanent basis.

"This house was bought in 1947 and it is only so long that you can sit on an asset of this kind.

"It is worth about £400,000 and they (the Holts) want to realise their asset."

The solicitor confirmed that further steps may be taken to obtain a warrant to have Mr Davenport removed.

Earlier at the scene Insp Paul Murphy climbed up a 20ft ladder to negotiate with Mr Davenport.

Insp Murphy said: " There has been no criminal offence and we were asked to be there to make sure no-one got hurt. It is now down to the county court judge to deal with the matter."