A LOCAL authority is a step closer to being prosecuted under anti-slavery legislation.

Hambleton District Council says farmer Len Webster is earning more from offering bed and breakfast than he is from farming and is, as a result in breach of a planning condition imposed when he won his appeal to build his house in open countryside.

That condition was that the person living in the property - Chestnut Farm - should be employed solely or mainly in agriculture.

Mr Webster confirmed to council officials who visited his home at Great Busby, Stokesley, last month that bed and breakfast was his principal source of income.

He is being given just days to give reasons why he believes the condition is being complied with - or have court proceedings started against him.

Solicitors acting for him have in turn informed the council in a pre-writ letter that it is in breach of articles four and eight of the Human Rights Act.

The letter from Thorp Parker solicitors states: "Under paragraph two of the article four of the Human Rights Act 1988 it is stated that no one shall be required to perform forced or compulsory labour.

"Our client is under coercion from your council to increase the extent of the farming of his property at a time when agriculture is in recession and to do so would cause severe financial loss."

Mr Webster said: "I would believe this if we were in Communist Russia 30 years ago, but not Britain in the 21st Century. I am refusing to jump through any more of their hoops. And I am not backing down.