An estate owner has moved to take over local land despite all the historical evidence pointing to it being owned by the people of a Borders village, according to a leading authority.

The disputed land consists of three parcels extending to 35 acres to the west of the village of Ancrum in Roxburghshire.

James Scott, owner of the nearby Kirklands Estate is claiming land through a legal process that will give him a title, unless challenged.

A public meeting has been called in the village next week. Mr Scott is using a historical provision which allows a person to lay claim to land if it is unoccupied and apparently abandoned. Subject to certain conditions this may confer full ownership at the end of a 10-year period which would be 2016.

Residents had been unaware of Mrs Scott's moves. When they found out, they approached Andy Wightman, an expert on the common land, for help.

He said: "The lands have been subject to a long history of communal use and there is no evidence that there is any title held by any private interest over the common."

He spoke to Mr Scott but according to Mr Wightman the conversation had concluded by Mr Scott referring him to his lawyers Anderson Strathern, who declined to comment.

Mr Scott insisted: "There is no doubt as to the veracity of our claim as an owner and as a many times feuar with many feuar rights."