A LONG running dispute over public access at a Dartmoor beauty spot has come to an end, following a public inquiry ruling that there was no right of way.

The Planning Inspectorate held a public inquiry after Devon County Council applied for an order for two public footpaths to run through an enclosure at Vixen Tor, privately owned by Mary Alford.

But inspector Mark Yates ruled there was not enough evidence to show the public had used established paths continuously at the site for 20 years.

Evidence forms from 59 users were submitted to the inquiry by people who said they had used the alleged paths in the 1970s.

But the inspector said that in light of documents discovered by Ms Alford, the Ramblers' Association, who initially supported the order, said it no longer wished to.

He also said there was not enough evidence of path use in the earliest part of the time period.