Vixen Tor is privately owned

Vixen Tor, at Merrivale, will now be closed to the public for at least 18 months.

The tor, known as the Sphinx of Dartmoor for its resemblance to the Egyptian monument, is on private land, but its owner has traditionally allowed public access.

Local farmer Mary Alford bought the tor and closed it to the public in May, saying she wanted to keep it to herself.

The Dartmoor Preservation Association has been negotiating for five months to buy it back and reopen it.

But Mrs Alford has now pulled out of the talks, which means the tor will stay closed for at least another 18 months when new Right to Roam legislation is expected to force its re-opening.

The Dartmoor Preservation Association said it was "very angry" at the collapse of the talks.