A property tycoon who built a large covered swimming pool in his back garden has been told he may have to tear it down.

David Martin, 42, from Tongdean Lane, Hove, built the 50ft pool but fell foul of planning laws by putting a 12ft high permanent cover over it.

Brighton and Hove City Council prosecuted Mr Martin's company, which officially owns the home, for breaking planning rules.

It said he failed to get planning permission and then ignored an inspector's ruling to get rid of the pool and its cover.

Coun Leslie Hamilton said: "The size and bulk of the pool is completely out of place and has affected the neighbours because it sticks out like a sore thumb.

"This case shows we are determined to pursue people who deliberately flout the planning rules."

The council said it began investigating the case after receiving a number of complaints from Mr Martin's neighbours.

When The Argus approached those living on either side of Mr Martin's house yesterday, they said they had not complained and one said she did not even know the pool existed.

Mr Martin said he knew of nobody who had complained about the pool.

He said: "Everyone I've spoken to is happy with it.

"This has very interesting consequences for a lot of people. It's not just about me and the pool, it has implications for a whole range of planning issues."

The city council took exception to the pool in 2003, when it was built.

Mr Martin's property company, the Hove-based Hughes Spencer Dowling Trust, applied for retrospective planning permission in the same year.

But the application was refused on the grounds it was intrusive.

The city council then issued an enforcement notice, which Mr Martin's company appealed against.

An inspector dismissed the appeal and said the pool and its cover, which is a permanent structure and includes a walkway to and from the house, did not blend in with its surroundings.

Mr Martin ignored the ruling, which prompted the city council to prosecute Hughes Spencer Dowling at Brighton Magistrates Court.

In court, Mr Martin's company was ordered to take the cover down and was fined £6,000 and ordered to pay £2,000 costs.