A couple who hit the headlines when they were told they were going to be presented with a £5,000 bill for ripping up their beloved garden, have now been told that the charge will no longer apply.

Elaine and David Rolfe of Llanover told the Press that they had spend 11 years and more than £20,000 transforming scrubland into around their home the spectacular gardens at Ochran Mill.

Now however, Mr Rolfe's ill health has forced them to downsize and Llanover Estate, which owns the property, had asked for the garden to be restored to its natural state as it was felt it would be too much of a challenge for new tenant's to maintain.

They were initially told that if they were not able to do the work it would be undertaken by the Estate at a cost of £5,000.

Over the past 11 years the gardens, which have been regularly opened for charity, have attracted a great deal of media interest and have been featured on the pages of magazines and on television, however, last June Mr Rolfe was diagnosed with a brain tumour and his deteriorating health meant that they were forced to move to more suitable rented accommodation in Abergavenny.

Mother of eight, Mrs Rolfe, who is now living on benefts, said she had been shocked to receive the demand from Llanover Estate, especially at such an emotional time.

A spokesman for Llanover Estate said, "Elaine and David are very valued members of our community and we have enormous sympathy for them and their family at this very difficult time.

 "Sadly, they decided to leave their house on the Llanover Estate because of David's serious illness. We intend to re-let the property and the garden, which has now unfortunately somewhat deteriorated and needs to be tidied up, however, we have decided that this will not be at the expense of David and Elaine.

 "Absolutely no charge will be made to David and Elaine for this work and we have informed them of this decision. Moreover, Elaine and her friends are free to come to take any cuttings or plants that they want and we are very grateful for the work they have already done in removing plants.

 "We are very happy to discuss the matter further with Mrs Rolfe and will do whatever we can to avoid further upset for her, her husband and their family."