Pavittar Singh - known as Peter - was given permission by South Tyneside Council to build a 2m-high wall outside the Hedworth Filling Station in Leam Lane, Jarrow last year.

But Mr Singh built it at 2.10m - and then put up another 1m-high wall, sparking fury among a small group of residents and councillors.

Council bosses ordered him to reduce the 2.10m wall and get rid of the other wall completely, setting a deadline of midnight Monday May 5.

But a week after that deadline, the work has still not been done and Mr Singh is now being taken to court for non-compliance with the council's order.

Today, Mr Singh claimed he was being "harassed" by the council.

He said: "I can't believe the council is taking me to court for building a wall slightly taller than they told me to.

"I applied for permission to open a cafe on the side of the station, and the council said they would allow it if I built a 2m high wall on the east perimeter.

"So I thought I'd make it a little taller and built it at around 2.10m, and now I'm being taken to court for it."

A council spokesman said: "The planning enforcement notice required the works to the wall to be completed by the end of Monday.

"Unfortunately, the necessary remedial works have not been done and we have now been left with no option but to initiate legal proceedings in the magistrates' court for non-compliance with the notice."

The wall has been the subject of a long-running dispute between Mr Singh and the council, along with a small group of disapproving residents, who said the wall would "attract trouble".

But Mr Singh thinks the council is acting over the top, and says he is only trying to improve the area.

He added: "I've invested about £250,000 updating this place so local people can benefit from the facilities.

"I'm just a businessman trying to make a living, but for some reason, everyone is trying to make it hard for me."

No date has yet been set for the court hearing.