COBBLER Tony Martin has struck another blow in his battle with officialdom.

The Durham City shoe repairer had papered the window of his Claypath shop with press cuttings on the troubles of the city council.

Last week he learned he was not to be prosecuted for behaviour likely to cause a breach of the peace, which was threatened after council staff complained to the police about the display.

Now he has put up papers relating to an industrial tribunal case involving the council's former principal safety officer.

Earlier this year, the council paid £6,500 in an out-of-court settlement to Mac Williams, before a tribunal was due to hear his claim for racial discrimination.

Mr Williams, who is black and a local magistrate, had intended to claim that he suffered racial abuse.

The council, which denied the claim, insisted Mr Williams sign a gagging order as part of the settlement.

Mr Martin said the papers in the shop window outline some of the allegations that the tribunal would have heard.

"Let them take me to court,'' he said.

"I am not worried about being sued. Even if I couldn't prove anything I'm not far off declaring myself bankrupt.

"They could take me to court and have a very large legal bill to no avail. I have no savings left and I'm so many thousand pounds in debt.

"My business has been ruined since yellow lines were put down outside the shop. Some residents have started a Save the Cobbler fund, because they want me to keep going for a bit longer."

A council spokeswoman declined to make any comment about the display.