Villagers are facing a "catch 22" ruling after their complaint about a council was rejected.

Campaigners in Burley-in-Wharfedale complained to the ombudsman about the length of time taken by Bradford council to consider their application to get village green status for a local field.

But in a bizarre twist they have been told the ombudsman is unable to consider their protestations because the application was submitted too long ago.

Villagers trying to get protected status for Burley House Field say their bid failed because the council "sat on it" for too long.

John Gundry, who has led the campaign said the application, which was put forward in March 2000, was scuppered by a legal precedent which wasn't set until three years later.

He said if the request had been dealt with faster it would have proved successful.

But ironically because the application was submitted more than 12 months ago they have been told the ombudsman cannot consider their complaint - because it is out of date.

Mr Gundry stressed: "We have been told they will only examine things within 12 months of the 'offence'

"But we say that is quite stupid - because although it happened three or four years ago that is the whole point of our argument."

"They say you should have complained at the time, but obviously I didn't know at the time that there was anything to complain about."

Campaigners are now waiting to hear the outcome of a second application for village green status in which the dates are changed slightly to avoid the one allegation of hay making which demolished their previous case.

In the meantime they are celebrating after the field was given some protection under the latest unitary development plan.

Although it is not designated as village green it is protected from development during the life of the UDP.

Mr Gundry said the news was "very very positive" but he added that the campaign would continue, to secure the future of the field.

"The UDP gives us 20 years -but village green designation gives us for ever," he said.