Members of a model aircraft club have had their wings clipped by the new owners of their flying field.

Brighouse Vintage Model Aircraft Club was told it had been grounded after the field near Highmoor Lane in Clifton was bought to be used for farming.

Now the 30-strong group have made an appeal to landowners and farmers in the area in a bid to find a new venue.

Chairman Philip Kent, 63, said: "We're absolutely stuck. It's really difficult to find a place to fly.

"You need to be away from houses and roads and the field was ideal.

"We had paid up until next August so we were rather upset to be told we would have to stop flying immediately."

The field, which lies on top of a capped pit, was sold to Roberttown-based Newsmith which owns the nearby Willow Valley Golf and Country Club.

The members, who had flown there for five years, were told their hobby would irritate golfers and could worry sheep.

But Mr Kent, of Moor Bottom, Cleckheaton, said the members took great pains to ensure their activities did not annoy others.

The retired teacher said: "We use four-stroke engines which make a throbbing noise rather than the high-pitched whine that people get upset by.

"They have silencers and they don't upset animals. We really do go out of our way to be accommodating.

"The field itself wasn't very good for flying but we were out of the way and it was ideal for a small club like ours.

"We can't see why they couldn't let us continue flying there until they started using the field.

"Without a field our future is a bit uncertain."

Director of Newsmith, Mr Glyn Selway, said the field was going to be used for farming.

He said: "We do not feel that model aircraft flying is suitable near animals so we've told them they will have to stop.

"The club has been compensated for the rent they paid."

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