A love cheat kicked out of his home after an affair with the family nanny has failed to win back half of the £1 million house.

The Court of Appeal in London heard how computer consultant Derek Lightfoot and his ex-wife, Seona Lightfoot-Brown, became embroiled in a bitter on-off divorce saga barely a year after marrying in 1993.

The bickering couple separated and reunited on several occasions until 1998.

A judge yesterday brought an end to the acrimonious and bitter legal dispute lasting seven years by ruling Mr Lightfoot was not entitled to a share in the farmhouse and 20 acres of land in Newick, near Lewes.

He was ordered to pay £14,000 in costs.

The ruling means Mrs Lightfoot-Brown can be sure her estate - now being run as the Mitchelswood Farm riding school - is safe.

She told The Argus: "I just want to forget about it all and for it all to be over."

Mr Lightfoot originally lived at the farm with his first wife but in 1985 bought her share and moved in with Mrs Lightfoot-Brown.

Between 1988 and 1992 they had three children and married in April 1993.

But the marriage fell apart and divorce proceedings began soon after. A decree nisi was granted in June 1994 but the couple were reconciled and had a fourth child.

A further falling out was followed by a decree absolute in 1996 but the couple were reconciled again.

They were on the verge of remarrying when it came to light Mr Lightfoot had been sleeping with the childrens' nanny and the pair split for good in September 1998.

Mr Lightfoot had signed away the farm to Mrs Lightfoot-Brown in 1997 but decided he wanted it back.

Mr Lightfoot, who has since remarried and moved to Italy, argued he was entitled to a share in the property because he had ploughed vast amounts of money into it.

He claimed he made mortgage payments of £24,000, a capital payment on the mortgage of £41,000 and other smaller investments because he believed he owned a half stake in the house.

Judge John Martin, QC, ruled in favour of Mrs Lightfoot-Brown's testimony last April but Mr Lightfoot appealed, arguing that Judge Martin had "misdirected himself". Yesterday Lady Justice Arden dismissed his case.

Mrs Lightfoot-Brown said the riding school was crucial to supporting the couple's children.

She said: "This is not just my home. It's my business and without my business I couldn't provide for my children.

"What does he expect me to do?"