Darlington football chairman George Reynolds vowed last night to defy council officials over plans to hold weekly car boot sales at his new stadium.

Darlington Borough Council is seeking a court injunction to stop the first sale from taking place at the Reynolds Arena on Sunday.

The authority claims the event would breach planning regulations and the town's market charter.

But Mr Reynolds told The Northern Echo he did not think he needed permission and planned to hold the sales every Sunday.

"I can't see how they can object to it," he said. "It doesn't interfere with their market because they have theirs on a Saturday. Our car boot sale is on a Sunday.

"Realistically, I can't see how it's contravening anything. This club's got to make money."

A council spokesman said: "Because we are a market town there is a charter which sets out certain things.

"Because it breaches this we will be seeking an injunction to stop it.

"Hopefully, we can get it through the courts quickly enough to stop this weekend's event," said the spokesman.

Mr Reynolds said he believed there was nothing in an agreement on the stadium - a legally-binding planning agreement - to stop him.

But he described the agreement as "an absolute sham", adding: "If they want to take it to court they are entitled to do so."

He said the facilities were ideal for a car boot sale.