BALIFFS turned up at the home of a North-East man who was left owing more than £6,000 in legal costs after the failure of a no win-no fee compensation case.

Glen Crawford, 28, of Darlington, did not realise he owed the cash after taking out a policy with Claims Advance to cover such an eventuality.

However, Claims Advance folded and its underwriters, the National Insurance and Guarantee Corporation Ltd (NIG) failed to pay the legal costs when he lost his compensation case.

"We can't pay it," he said. "We're really worried, because we don't know what to do."

Joanne Gray, of Grace and Co Solicitors of Warrington, who represented Mr Crawford in the compensation case, has contacted BBC's Watchdog programme about NIG's failure to pay.

She said Claims Advance, which insured Mr Crawford, went into liquidation, but was underwritten by NIG.

"Each of our clients should be covered by an after-the-event insurance policy to cover the costs of both sides if they lose," she said. "NIG underwrote Claims Advance."

She said they were representing ten other clients who had been left in a similar position.

Three years ago, Mr Crawford was stopped in the street by a salesperson asking if he wished to pursue a claim for any accident he may have suffered.

He decided to seek compensation against Stockton Borough Council over the state of the roads after falling from his bicycle and breaking his arm.

The case was heard last year and, after his claim was rejected, the council set about reclaiming its legal fees.

Mr Crawford thought that was an end to the matter until last week, when baliffs called at his Eastmount Road home demanding £6,023.01 in legal costs plus £1.45 interest per day.

Girlfriend Cheryl Moore-Connelly said: "We've been blacklisted because of this. We've been to the Citizens' Advice Bureau and they say we have to take NIG to county court. It's a nightmare."

A spokeswoman for NIG apologised for the handling of Mr Crawford's case and told The Northern Echo that the £6,000 costs would be paid in full.

"In reference to any other outstanding claims of this nature, NIG would like to stress, that as one of the UK's leading insurance companies, they have a reputation for quick and prompt settlement and are always willing to consider legitimate claims and process payments," she said.