Senior council officers are under pressure after the Local Government Ombudsman found they acted unlawfully.

Sefton Council wrongly accused one elderly pensioner of having a criminal record and locked another man out of his allotment for over eight weeks.

Since the initial investigation, allegations of theft have been made against the council in relation to thousands of pounds worth of supplies.

Anne Seex, The Local Government Ombudsman, told The Champion her office might take further action against Sefton Council.

She said: "Sefton Council officers didn't act lawfully when dealing with these two gentlemen.

"They need to come to a settlement with the gentlemen, if they don't or I'm not satisfied I can then issue another report.

"If I issue a public report then there will have to be a debate in a full council meeting."

A council spokesman did not want to discuss the unlawful activity but did say the Ombudsman's report will be fully investigated.

She said: "We are aware of the Local Government Ombudsman's report, this is due to be discussed at a cabinet meeting in May."

Allotment holder Jim Dolan says the council had been trying to force him off the land for over three years.

He said: "An elderly allotment holder was threatened and intimidated by another and instead of kicking him off, a senior council officer put him in charge of the site.

"The council have done everything to try and remove us from the site, the same senior council officer refused to accept my rent and locked me out of the site.

"Council officers authorised the seizure of over £3,000 of supplies from an elderly gentleman who has now died, the ombudsman told me the council have abused their authority.

"It's elderly pensioners who tend the allotment and it's a disgrace they have been the target of threats and intimidation," he added.

The council did not comply with The Small Holdings and Allotments Act 1908, Allotments Act 1922 and Landlord and Tenant Act 1954.

Council officers have until July to pay compensation and reach a settlement with the allotment holders.

By Andrew Ashcroft