A NORTH-EAST police chief who was forced to resign in disgrace has lodged an appeal in Lithuania where he was convicted of urinating on a presidential palace.

The Northern Echo can reveal that a solicitor working for former Chief Superintendent Kevin Pitt has put together a case they are confident will overturn the conviction.

Mr Pitt, who quit Cleveland Police in the wake of the row, said last night that video evidence alone should be enough to clear his name.

The 51-year-old was with a colleague, Inspector Kerry Anderson, in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius, in February 2002, when the pair were caught by security camera apparently urinating against the palace wall.

Mr Pitt claims it is clear from the footage that he did not urinate, and was framed by local police because he had accused them of stealing money.

The officers were in the country to teach anti-corruption techniques to government departments as part of a contract with Teesside University.

Mr Pitt claimed he was put under pressure by bosses on his return to the UK and feared his pension would be at risk if he did not quit.

Last night he said: "A solicitor has drafted all the papers and the case is in the appeal system as we speak.

"I don't know how long it is going to take but I am prepared to wait as long as I need to.

"It took them 12 hours to incorrectly prosecute me and it may take 12 years to put it right, and if that's the case, so be it."

Mr Pitt, who lives in Billingham, Teesside, admitted he can be seen leaning against the wall on the video film, but maintained he had felt unwell and feared he was going to be sick.

Insp Anderson, who was also arrested but not charged, pleaded guilty at a disciplinary hearing to conduct likely to bring discredit to Cleveland Police - but kept his job.