A COBBLER at loggerheads with his council is set to publish a book.

Tony Martin is launching a self-published book on his long and bitter dispute with Durham City Council.

Provisionally called Cobblers to the Council, it should be ready next month, to coincide with a BBC documentary on his fight.

Mr Martin said: "The book is a time bomb ticking away under the council.

"I have had to have it looked at legally and there may have to be one or two things I have to keep out, but it is almost finished."

The book concentrates on the council's troubles with the controversial Gala theatre, officially opened by the Queen in May 2002.

The authority took over the running of the complex when a management company collapsed owing £700,000.

Recent figures show the theatre is still making a loss.

Mr Martin said: "The theatre is a millstone around the neck of the people of Durham. It is a black hole."

He started his campaign four years ago when the council put parking restrictions outside his Durham Cobbler shop in Claypath.

He has been threatened with court action over a display of press cuttings on his shop window.