CIVIC chiefs are set to grab back land from people's gardens to stop Southampton Common shrinking.

Scores of homeowners who have allowed their property to creep on to the protected land could lose up to three metres.

It is thought hundreds of square metres have been taken over by private gardens, slowly extended over the years, and new buildings.

Today, Southampton City Council will launch a massive bid to reclaim the missing land. If the scheme is given the go-ahead they will write to scores of city residents, urging them to give back the Common.

Lengthy and expensive court cases could follow as owners of some homes, where the encroachment has been in place for decades, will not give up the land easily.

Park protection experts have said the move could halt the shrinkage - and give the whole Common back to the people.

Fight for the Common - See today's Spotlight feature in the 'More News' section of 'This is Southampton'.