The Bermuda National Trust tonight welcomed a Government decision to renew the lease of a family threated with eviction from their farm.

The charity also backed a decision by Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch, the public works minister, to extend all lapsed agricultural leases on Government land to 21 years less one day.

Bermuda National Trust president Alana Anderson said: “We welcome the fact that not only will farmers see their leases renewed, but that they will be renewed for more than two decades.

“This means that these 13 vital open spaces will also be preserved for 20 years and will be available for the next generation of farmers.

The Bascome family, which has worked Westover Farm in Sandys for more than 50 years, were given notice to quit earlier this month.

But the decision was later reversed by Colonel Burch.

Ms Anderson said: “We also urge the ministry, as landlord, to encourage farmers to use best practices and, where possible, to introduce sustainable farming methods which will ensure that Bermuda’s arable land will be healthy and productive for many years to come.”