The Ridings High School has won its three-year battle to fence off its playing field to ensure the safety of its pupils.

It successfully fended of a bid by some Winterbourne villagers who wanted the land at Hoopers Farm declared a village green and remain as open land for recreation.

The legal challenge, headed by Friends of the Earth supporter Tony Harding, is estimated to have cost South Gloucestershire Council more than £100,000 and delayed pupil's use of the sports ground.

The authority was forced to set up a non-statutory public inquiry which lasted eight days and heard evidence from the school, council officials and protesters.

Inspector Charles Mynors dismissed evidence from villages that they had used the playing fields for decades to walk dogs, community sports events and general recreation and that the school had not put up warning notices.

Rob Gibson, head of the 1,900-pupil Ridings High School, one of the most successful secondary schools in the South West, said it was vital for the pupil's safety that the field was fenced, both for security and to stop it being fouled by dogs.

The matter then went to the Public Rights of Way and Commons Registration Committee where council solicitors said the inspector's decision to reject the village green could not be overturned unless it was legally flawed.

Tony Harding challenged the inspector's decision and said aspects of it were wrong but this was disputed by the council's own legal officers.

When it came to a vote, only councillor David Hockey (Lib Dem, Frampton Cotterell), supported the call to register the field as a village green.

Dr Gibson said after the meeting: "This has been a long process and I am pleased that it has now reached its conclusion."