A BUSINESSMAN last night vowed to wage a High Court battle to recover his homes and cars, seized by a Home Office agency.

Arthur Pickering is to "strenuously resist" a court order which has seen a receiver appointed to take control and manage his affairs, property and bank accounts.

Even though the 34-year-old was cleared of conspiracy to supply class A drugs, the Assets Recovery Agency went to the High Court in London, on behalf of Cleveland Police, and successfully applied for an order to retain more than £648,000 of Mr Pickering's assets.

The order included seizure of his £495,000 four-bedroom detached house and its contents in Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, seven other houses, and two vehicles, including a £46,500 BMW convertible.

Mr Pickering was cleared of dealing in cocaine at Durham Crown Court last February. He said his lavish lifestyle was funded by his income from selling ice-cream and dealing second-hand cars.

However, the High Court, in London, has granted the Police Assets Recovery Agency an interim order to seize goods worth £648,372.

Last night, Mr Pickering's solicitor Bill O'Hanlon said: "The High Court proceedings that have been instituted by the Assets Recovery Agency will be strenuously resisted.

"We are very surprised that Cleveland Constabulary have sought publicity over a matter that is subject to contested High Court proceedings, particularly as Andrew Pickering was publicly tried and acquitted of criminal charges in early 2004.''

A spokesman for Cleveland Police said last night: "If Mr O'Hanlon has any complaint to make, then he should put it in writing."