An 81-year-old has refused to pay part of his council tax in protest over the maintenance of his village recreation ground.

Clive Izard, of Holmans, Ardingly, has been withholding just over ten per cent of the tax paid to Mid Sussex District Council because he believes it should contribute towards the park's upkeep.

He risks being taken to court over his stance.

Although the park is owned by Ardingly Parish Council, Mid Sussex District Council paid for its maintenance until 1990.

Mr Izard, who was a district councillor and a member of the old rural district council for 37 years, wants Mid Sussex to reintroduce this policy.

He said: "The district council urged me not to do this but I want to continue my protest. I am not worried about going to court."

He is withholding £11.28 of his annual £96.40 bill, which he estimates should go towards the upkeep of the recreation ground, now paid for by the parish council.

Parish council chairman Ken Monk also plans to withhold a portion of his council tax. The retired sub-post-master of Price Way, said: "Unfortunately I have already paid until next April but if this matter has not been resolved by then I will follow Clive's actions.

"I am totally behind him. The parish council keeps writing strong letters of objection to the district council because we think it is wrong. We have to pay council tax to help Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill and it is not fair some of it is not spent on this park in our immediate area.

"Many of the public and other councillors are behind Clive and I would encourage them to follow his lead."

But Bill Hatton, chief executive at Mid Sussex, said the council would not consider paying for the park's maintenance.

In 1990, Ardingly Parish Council was given the option of giving the park to the district council but turned this down.

Mr Hatton said: "They still have this option but we will not go back to paying the parish council to maintain the park, irrespective of Mr Izard's protest."

Mr Hatton said Mr Izard would be sent a final reminder next month and if he did not pay he would be summonsed.