A PENSIONER has tied himself to the fence and is refusing to leave a council-owned building which houses his huge collection of vintage farm machinery.

John Petch - known as "Husky" - is in a stand-off with Redcar & Cleveland council over a building he has rented for 15 years to house his vast collection.

Last night he was standing on a stepladder leaning on the compound fence - and High Court sheriffs have told him that if he steps off the ladder they will physically remove him.

Mr Petch tied himself to the fence so he did not fall off the ladder and told them: "If you want to get me out, it will be in a wooden box."

Sheriffs turned up at the council-owned building in Dormanstown, Redcar, this morning to remove Mr Petch and his possessions, but he refused to leave.

They later removed his nephew from the premises, but last night had not yet removed 66-year-old Mr Petch.

A crowd of 30-40 supporters, including children, gathered outside the gates of the Westfield Buildings, on The Green, to watch the stand-off.

Mr Petch said he was offered the premises by the council 15 years ago to house his collection of machinery, after they ordered him to remove the collection from the garden of his home in The Green following a complaint from a neighbour.

Now the council want the building back and have court backing to remove Mr Petch and his belongings from the premises.

One of his friends, Steve Turner, from Redcar, said: "The sheriffs have said they will stay day and night until he comes down. But Husky is the most stubborn man I have ever known. That collection of machinery is his family - he lives for his possessions - and he won't leave.

"We are concerned about his health to be honest."

Norman Pickthall, Redcar & Cleveland Council’s cabinet member for corporate resources, said: “This action is a last resort after all previous attempts to reach an agreed resolution failed.

“Mr Petch was given the use of the site, in 2001, on the understanding he stayed within a specific area and maintained the buildings, which he has not done.

“The site is being illegally occupied and the buildings have fallen into a state of disrepair, making it dangerous and unsuitable for occupation.

“Mr Petch has shown no interest in potential alternative sites and refused to cooperate with officers from the council, who have tried to help him."

He said the council could not house Mr Petch and his possessions at public expense and said they were working with the housing association to offer him alternative accommodation.