An amateur golfer is being taken to court after three rounds which could end up costing him almost £1,000.

Russell Taylor, 37, has been told he owes West Hove Golf Club £550 for this year's fees - even though he did not want to remain a member.

He had paid £350 to play at the club from last May until September, but gave up after only fitting in three visits.

After deciding not to apply for renewed membership in September, he was shocked this week to receive a claim through Brighton and Hove County Court.

The club, based in Church Farm, Hove, believes Mr Taylor should pay up because he did not formally resign his membership in time.

Mr Taylor, of Upper Dicker, in Hailsham, paid in cash in April to join the club for four months.

He had only recently taken up the game and soon found he didn't have time for regular rounds of golf.

He was sent a letter in June inviting him to renew his membership but because he didn't intend to, he ignored it.

He is now preparing a legal defence and is adamant he won't pay.

He said: "I find it extraordinary the way the club has gone about this. I feel I would have more chance of getting out of a religious cult than West Hove Golf Club."

Mr Taylor is one of five people being taken to the county court by the club for not paying their annual subscriptions.

Megan Bibby, the club's general manager, said all members were given rule books clearly stating they must give a month's written notice before resigning.

It was also made clear in the renewal package sent out in June.

She said: "I am sorry Mr Taylor did not understand the rules of the club, but I am sure he is capable of reading.

"We cannot run the club as a company and work out budgets if I don't know what is coming in. I had no other choice but to go to the courts."