Darlington Football Club 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 Quakers boss 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.

"It's not market stalls, it's car boot, which is on wheels.

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

A council spokesman said: "It is in breach of planning conditions and it is also in breach of our market charter.

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

Planning officers were discussing an injunction with the authority's barrister yesterday afternoon.

"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 the agreement on the stadium - a legally-binding planning agreement - to stop him. However, he described the agreement as "an absolute sham".

He said: "I've never seen a mess like it in my life. If they want to take it to court they are entitled to do so."

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

"I've got car parking for 1,500 cars. What is the difference with people using the car park for a game or using it to park and sell stuff? It's doing no harm, it's out in the country.

"It's not upsetting anybody. The general public like it. We've got the car parking facilities done right. We've got proper white lines. It will be stewarded right. So what's wrong with that?

"Who gives anybody the right to take away what the general public want. If the general public don't want it they won't turn up, will they?"

This is not the first time Mr Reynolds has clashed with the council over plans for the new stadium.

Financial wrangling between the club and the authority delayed a residents' parking scheme, designed to prevent supporters from leaving their cars outside homes on match days.

The scheme will come into effect on Saturday for the team's home match against Boston United