THE gates to the entrance of the bus shelter were unlocked as usual yesterday and a jubilant Mel Bird was once again holding court inside.

Accompanied by his two dogs, the educated man-of-the-road declared victory over authority, in the form of Leyburn Town Council.

However, his celebrations may yet be premature, as the saga of the barred market shelter is likely to continue a while longer.

Yesterday, Mr Bird was telling all those who would listen that his favoured daytime haunt is reopened permanently.

But before that happens he must complete a trial period, adhering to a list of strict shelter rules to combat the very problems which caused the council to act.

Two councillors, Margaret Knight and Sandra Knights, accompanied by two observers, met Mr Bird on Wednesday to deliver demands agreed at a meeting of the town council.

They told him the market place shelter will reopen if he does not:

l let his two dogs lie on the benches inside

l feed them next to the shelter

l sit inside (with others) drinking alcohol

l swear at anyone.

An understanding was reached on the first two points, but Mr Bird said he was not sure if he will be able to meet all the requirements.

He argued it would be difficult for him not to drink alcohol, if others did.

"I am not an alcoholic," he said. "There's no water supply where I live and I don't like water anyway."

The gates were fitted last September and were locked every day - except Fridays - after complaints of dog excrement, urine and empty beer and cider cans.

Several people refused to use the bus shelter because of Mr Bird's presence, complaining of intimidation and "foul language".

"If people abuse me they get it back twice," he said.

But Mr Bird, who sleeps at night in a barn, has gained many friends and several have written in praise of his "sartorial style".

One defended him as someone with a "frank character" and "social attributes probably superior to anyone".

Another urged Leyburnians to "have some humanity".

Mr Bird said he was a well-educated man, who took to the road in 1985 following a "messy divorce".

He still has the keys to a flat in Scarborough but stayed on in Leyburn this winter after the foot-and-mouth footpath closures of the summer.

"I like the people in Leyburn. People feed my dogs and like me, but they won't invite me in for a cup of tea," he said.

It remains to be seen if he can resist a drop of something a little stronger in his bid to follow the shelter rules.