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A pair of British expats say they are 'trapped' in southern Spain amid an ongoing legal battle with the local town hall over a luxury bed and breakfast they once operated.

Patrick and Valerie Jubb are attempting to sell the four-bedroom property where they currently reside in Jimena de la Frontera, but it is now on the brink of being torn down.

The retired couple told Spain's Olive Press news website that they have done nothing wrong but face losing the estate over illegal additions made by a previous owner.

Patrick and Valerie Jubb are locked in a dispute with the town hall over alterations made by a previous owner

The Jubbs purchased the bed and breakfast in Jimena de la Frontera, in southern Spain, in 2008

Patrick, 64, told the news website: 'We are in absolute pieces over this.

'All we want is to go back to the UK to be with our family and friends, but we can't. All our money is tied up in the property.'

Patrick, a former engineer from London, and his 63-year-old wife, Valerie, bought the bed and breakfast, La Vina de Linan, in 2008 and closed it a year ago as they moved forward with plans to sell it.

They said they had a deal in place to sell the estate for €680,000, but the town hall ruled that the first floor, kitchen and pool were illegally built by previous owners in 1994.

The Jubbs said they obtained a certificate that stated there were no infractions when they bought the estate

When the Jubbs tried to sell the town hall ruled that the alterations, including a swimming pool, were illegal

The Jubbs told the Olive Press that the Junta provided a certificate stating there were no planning infractions when they bought the property, and that the alterations were legalised by land registry officials in 2005 – three years before they acquired the estate.

In most situations the local authority loses the right to demolish a house that has been illegally altered if it fails to detect the alterations within four years.

But in the case of the Jubbs the usual rule does not apply because the property is located inside Los Alcornocales Natural Park in the Andalusian province of Cadiz.

Patrick and Valerie Jubb are planning to move back to the UK, but said their money is tied up in the property

Patrick said the alterations never should have been approved in the first place.

Online adverts still list the Jubbs' property for sale, with a guide price of €875,000.

With a sparkling rating on TripAdvisor, it is marketed as a secluded and private property with panoramic mountain views.

It is located just 25 minutes from Gibraltar and 90 minutes from Malaga airport.

The home boasts four en-suite bedrooms, a large sitting room with a fireplace, a dining room and terraces.