A SELF-STYLED whistle-blower has defended his long-running campaign against a local authority - despite allegations he has cost its ratepayers at least £125,000 in the last eight years.

Bernard Borman has taken Richmondshire District Council to task on a long list of issues since moving to Leyburn, in the heart of Wensleydale, ten years ago.

In 1998, The Northern Echo revealed how a member of staff was even assigned to the specific task of dealing with correspondence from the retired businessman - a policy which was subsequently dropped following a review.

But the council claims Mr Borman's letter-writing has remained a drain on its resources.

Since 1994, dialogue with Mr Borman has generated a total of 1,046 individual documents.

His complaints and allegations against the council have prompted 20 inquiries by the Local Government Ombudsman, two court actions, ten internal inquiries and a number of investigations by the District Auditor. None have yet resulted in any formal action being taken against the authority.

"The council's position is that we will always deal with issues raised by the public," said council leader John Blackie.

"However, when an individual resorts to this level of correspondence, you have to come to the conclusion it is not normal - this is victimisation which no one should have to accept."

Mr Borman remained defiant yesterday.

"I accept I am politically active and I have represented a number of people on a number of issues but I have a proud record of fighting for democracy and decency," he said.

Mr Borman's latest clash with the authority is a call on councillors to consider sacking chief executive Harry Tabiner tonight.