A TOP judge told Monmouth neighbours rowing over access rights to their homes to find a way of living together and bring an end to their "most regrettable dispute".

Robin and Ann Sweet and their neighbours, Elizabeth Sommer and Brian Neanor, live just yards from each other in Osbaston but, over the past two years, have run up massive lawyers' bills in a venomous court face-off.

Miss Sommer and Mr Neanor, who live at The Old Forge, off Forge Road, insisted Mr and Mrs Sweet, who own nearby Northern Field, had no right to drive vehicles across their yard to their own property.

They feared that, if the Sweets proved their right of access, they would not be able to park their own car in their yard and would have to remove decorative pots and tubs to make way for their neighbours.

But one of the nation's most senior judges came down in favour of Mr and Mrs Sweet at the High Court.

The vice-chancellor, Sir Andrew Morritt - sitting with Lord Justice Clarke and Lord Justice Jonathan Parker - upheld an earlier Newport county court ruling that the Sweets have a vehicular right of way over Old Forge Yard.

Also upheld was an injunction, forbidding Ms Sommer and Mr Neanor from obstructing their neighbours' right of way, and an order that they pay Mr and Mrs Sweet £300 in compensation, as well as thousands of pounds in legal costs bills.

Sir Andrew's 17-page judgment involved a detailed analysis of title deeds and other documents relating to the properties.

But the judge described the underlying row between close neighbours as a "most regrettable dispute" and urged both sides to put the past behind them and try to achieve "some agreed modus vivendi".

Miss Sommer and Mr Neanor had said they felt forced to pursue the appeal because the injunction against them would prevent them from parking their own car on Old Forge Yard and force removal of all their plant pots and tubs.

But Sir Andrew said that after viewing plans of the site, he considered it would be possible for the couple to park a car in the yard without obstructing or interfering with their neighbours' rights.

Mr Neanor, who has lived at the Old Forge for six years, said after the case on Thursday he just wanted to draw a line under the whole affair. Mr and Mrs Sweet were unavailable for comment.