A couple who spent 14 years locked in a legal dispute with their neighbours over a six-inch strip of land and an ornamental squirrel they described as "sentimental" have seen their legal costs bill rise to £150,000 after losing an appeal. The case highlights how protracted boundary disputes between neighbours can escalate into ruinously expensive legal battles, with costs far outweighing the value of the land or items originally in question.

The dispute centred on a narrow six-inch encroachment of land along with an ornamental squirrel statue that held sentimental value for one side. Having already fought the case for over a decade, the couple took their fight to appeal but were unsuccessful, resulting in their court costs being increased to £150,000. Full details of the original ruling and the identities of those involved were not disclosed in the available report.