A motorist being charged £360 a year to drive just 70ft today praised The Argus after the "extortionate" bill was scrapped.

Tory councillor Clive Roberts took up the case of Simon Searle after reading about it in the paper.

The Argus revealed how Mr Searle, 38, had been ordered to pay Worthing Borough Council for using a service road at the rear of his terraced house.

Mr Searle, of Graham Road, spent £4,500 turning his backyard into hard-standing for his car so he did not have to park in front of his town centre home.

He decided to create the parking area because it is difficult to find an on-street space in Graham Road, which leads to Montague Street, Worthing's main pedestrian shopping precinct.

But to park his car he had to drive along the wheelie binlined service road, which was situated in the shadow of a multi-storey car park.

Mr Searle, who pays £1,000 a year in council tax, said the cost was about £5 a foot.

Last month he said: "What harm am I doing just driving round the corner? I am helping to relieve congestion in the town centre."

Coun Roberts felt the charge was unreasonable. Now Mr Searle will be charged £25 to £50 a year.

Coun Roberts said: "I am delighted it has been solved and Mr Searle is happy."

Mr Searle said: "Common sense has prevailed.

"I am grateful to Coun Roberts and The Argus for intervening on my behalf."