ENGLAND'S finest wordsmiths found themselves caught out by the letter of the law as they gathered to celebrate the birthday of Countdown supremo Richard Whiteley.

But now they will use the cult TV show to wreak poetic justice on the police officer who copped them as they partied.

Musical doyen Sir Tim Rice, rock star Rik Wakeman, entertainer Richard Digance, Carol Vorderman and others were among those who partied into the small hours in the village pub near the North Yorkshire country retreat of Mr Whiteley.

They mixed freely with locals in the Blue Lion, at East Witton, deep in the Yorkshire Dales, at the 60th birthday bash.

But as more than 50 guests enjoyed themselves, a police patrol took exception to some of the reveller's cars parked along the village green.

Among the victims was comic entertainer Digance, who noted the policeman's poor spelling on the parking ticket and included a rhyming rebuke for the officer, known as PC Williams 1334, with his £30 fine payment.

Mr Digance, a regular guest of the show's Dictionary Corner, also recited his effort during a recording of Countdown, which Channel 4 has confirmed will be transmitted today.

Mr Whiteley said: "They were apparently causing an unnecessary obstruction, but the officer who issued it couldn't spell 'unnecessary'."

Inspector Aubrey Smith, district commander for the area, said: "Mr Digance is entitled to his opinion and we accept his comments in the light-hearted manner in which they were intended."