A War in the Willows after squatters move in to Ratty's house

Squatters have moved into a house which helped inspire Kenneth Grahame's The Wind in the Willows.

Coombe End Farmhouse is on the banks of the Thames and its boathouse is believed to have been the basis for the home of Ratty, one of the heroes of the classic book.

Squatters: Jay Verono and Hannah Beasley have moved into Coombe End Farmhouse, believed to have inspired Ratty's home in The Wind in the Willows

But the property, barely a mile away from Grahame's former country retreat, is now at the centre of a controversy as troubling as any of the travails Ratty's friend Mr Toad had with the occupiers of Toad Hall.

The upkeep of the imposing 13-bedroomed property near Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, was left to the National Trust in the 1930s.

It was leased to tenants but had been empty since the last left in 2006 and, in April, squatters moved in.

Ratty: Lived in the boathouse

Led by 23-year- old Hannah Beasley, they refer to themselves as 'caretakers' of the historic site.

Miss Beasley, a qualified care worker, said: 'We took direct action in protest at the National Trust's neglect.

'We wanted to highlight the fact that old historic buildings are being left to rot while a lot of young people are struggling to afford a place to live in.'

The National Trust says it is looking to 'secure a long-term future' for the dilapidated property, but the occupiers say action is needed now.

New home: Miss Beasley in the kitchen of the property, said to be worth £2 million

Miss Beasley said: 'There are numerous options, but they are choosing to just board it up and let it fall into greater disrepair.

'It leaves you wondering whether they are waiting for this wonderful building to be condemned.'

Even in its current sorry state, the property is still said to be worth more than £2million.

The National Trust says it is drawing up conservation plans for the building.

Bygone days: Coombe End Farmhouse pictured around 1920

Following three court appearances, the charity has been granted a possession order which means the squatters will be evicted within days.

Sympathy for the trust's troubles is in short supply among some locals.

Neighbouring farmer Richard Hazell said: 'It's disgusting the way they have left such a beautiful house go to ruin.'

Others will be glad to see the back of the squatters, however.

One said: 'Any local support for their cause evaporated after they held a couple of parties at the house and started attracting the wrong sort of crowd.

'There was once a boathouse linked to the property, but it fell into the river years ago.

The gang: Ratty and other characters from the classic television series

'It was known locally as Ratty's boathouse.'

A National Trust spokesman said: 'We would never contemplate anything but a restoration of this farmhouse which is on land which the National Trust can never sell.

'The squatters have delayed our efforts to examine all of the options to secure the future of this listed building.'

The River Thames at Pangbourne, near Coombe End Farmhouse

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