A HUNGARIAN cowboy is facing High Noon in his efforts to open a Wild West riding school.

Members of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority rejected Django's plans to open the trekking centre near Thwaite, in Swaledale, North Yorkshire.

In August, they ordered the removal of windows and doors from a barn that Django, real name Martin Kiss, had converted into a tack-room.

The authority also demanded that he demolished a horse training ring and took away a caravan, in which he is living with his son, after he failed to obtain planning permission for them.

But in true cowboy style, Django has appealed to the sheriff - the Government's planning inspectorate - to look at the case.

He said: "I will fight this as long as it takes.

"They do what they have to do and I'll do what I have to do.

"I'm not going to lie down and die.

"They have picked on the wrong man.

"They think everything is either black or white - it isn't. Would they rather I went and signed-on?"

The political refugee, named after jazz musician Django Reinhardt, left Hungary nearly 20 years ago.

He happened upon Thwaite by accident during an 18-month horseback tour of Britain six years ago, when he also taught himself how to ride like a cowboy.

While following the Pennine Way on his horse Gipsy, he took a wrong turn into the village.

The national park authority refused to grant permission for developments on the farm after people living above Django's homestead objected.

It could be 2006 before the planning inspectorate makes a decision on the trekking centre.

In the meantime, Django said he was considering his next move.

He said: "I might open the trekking centre whether they like it or not."