PROTESTORS threatening legal action over Darlington's new football stadium have been warned to put up the cash for court action or accept defeat gracefully.

The challenge came last night from the club's multi-millionaire chairman, George Reynolds, only hours after Darlington Borough Council sold him the Neasham Road site.

Objectors, including travelling families, have threatened to take the matter to the European Court of Human Rights.

Reacting to the news that Mr Reynolds had finally secured the land, critics pledged to push for a judicial review to prevent any work starting on the 25,000-seater stadium.

But their continuing action brought a gloves-off statement from the chairman, who has promised to provide Darlington with one of the finest grounds in the country.

"If they are planning court action that is all right by me, but I will insist on security of costs,'' said Mr Reynolds.

He said: "In other words, if I put up £100,000 I will expect them to do the same, so that whoever loses will be guaranteed their costs.''

It was, he said "ironical'' that having lost the planning permission battle the residents were now turning to the aid of neighbouring travellers.

"Some of these residents are the very same people who objected to the travellers moving onto the land in the first place. Now they are closing ranks around them,'' he said.

He revealed there had also been claims that he had bought the land too cheaply, and warned he could himself yet mount legal action.

"This land deal has so far cost me £1.4million. That seems a reasonable sum to me.''

He added: "I intend to look at the many accusations which have been made against me, and I will be considering legal action of my own".

Mr Reynolds urged the residents to abide by the democratic wishes of the town.

"There is no doubt that the overwhelming majority of people in Darlington want this stadium, and I intend to build it.''

A spokesman at Darlington Borough Council said the stadium would generate a lot of new revenue for the town.

Jan Mazurk, of the Neasham Road Action Group, said residents did not wish to comment last night, but promised a statement "within the next two to three days"