A SOUTH DEVON farmer who faces prosecution unless he stops using his land as a charity golf course has vowed to fight on, even if it means going to prison.

John Dance of Reddacleave Farm, Dean Prior and supporters will be demonstrating outside Dartmoor National Park this morning against an inspector's decision to throw out an appeal to save the course used for charity events on no more than half the year.

After a ten-year wrangle, the next step is prosecution unless the course goes and the land is restored for agricultural use.

Mr Dance said: 'We are very upset about it. But while I've got the public support, I'm going to fight on.'

The planning inspector concluded that the golf course, highly visible from the moorland, has 'prominent unnatural features', that detract from the character and natural beauty of the moorland.

Though the inspector concedes that charity events contribute to local causes, the harmful effect on the countryside cannot be justified.

Mr Dance said: 'The ground is still used for agricultural use and it is not illegal to mow your grass in any way you choose and it is not illegal to play golf.'

'They have taken assuming powers they have not got,' he added.

Campaigners are hoping for a change in policy that will support viable usage of fringe moorland.

However, in the mean time, Mr Dance is willing to face prosecution 'without question'.

'We've taken very serious legal advice and we will challenge them in any court in the land,' he said.

'It is a shame because it could mean that I've got to go to prison and I do not take that lightly.'

Mr Dance said his cause has attracted more than 1,000 supporters countrywide.

In 1996, the park authority agreed that the golf course could remain on the condition that permanent features were not made, but since then, earth and stone banks have been erected which, according to planners, significantly changed the appearance of the land.

This is the second planning appeal to be dismissed by an inspector and the enforcement notice to return the land to agricultural use still stands.