A man has been made bankrupt over council tax bills on properties that do not exist.

Billy Boyle, 64, of Upper Gardner Street, Brighton, is unable to earn any money and is facing huge legal bills after a catalogue of administrative errors by Brighton and Hove City Council.

Mr Boyle said: "I'm in dire straits - it's absolutely disgusting. I've been breaking into all my savings and I can't sell the lease until it's all done.

"I'm absolutely at my wits' end. I can't believe they could do this and get away with it. It's been going on for two-and-a-half years and now my credibility is nil. I've never owed anybody anything."

In November 2003, the council demanded £13,000 from Mr Boyle for five properties they said he owned on the corner of Upper Gardner Street and North Road, in the North Laine area of Brighton.

In fact, there were only two flats above the shops and the case was taken to court. Mr Boyle was told to prove the flats did not exist, which he did with the help of a valuation officer.

The officer from Eastbourne Valuation Office visited the shop and sent a letter to the council in support of Mr Boyle, instructing the council to amend the bill.

Mr Boyle paid his amended bill of £5,000 when it arrived in February 2003 but bankruptcy proceedings were launched against him just one month later for the full amount.

At that time, the shop was being leased to a Mr Damski as a lighting shop and no letters reached Mr Boyle before he found out in August that he was officially bankrupt.

The bankruptcy order was annulled by Brighton County Court in October last year but Mr Boyle is still unable to obtain credit, lease his properties or pay any of the bills that are mounting up.

Mr Boyle's solicitor, Robert Simon, said: "This is a pure and utter cock-up.

"He can't generate any income. The poor guy's not able to get to his own assets because of a mistake by the council, which is compounded by the courts not being very helpful."

The city council, which is also pursuing him for outstanding bills, would not comment as proceedings are still active against Mr Boyle.