A bitter break-up has reached the High Court after a couple could not agree who should get the cheese grater and empty paint pots.

Robin Williams and ex-partner Anthony Hull are set for an expensive court battle over their their former lovenest.

Since their split the rowing couple have also written to each other over a £5 lampshade and the net curtains.

Employment solicitor Ms Williams, 50, and financial consultant Mr Hull, 49, bought the detached home in May 2000. When they broke up in October 2007, Mr Hull moved out.

In a series of letters the couple wrote to each other after their split they tried to divide up their assets, but disagreed over whether the paint pots in the garage, net curtains and lamp shades were "joint property".

Ms Williams and Mr Hull also argued about a £499 telescope. Ms Williams said she bought it as a present for him, but Mr Hull said he never wanted the gift.

Mr Justice Arnold said that the couple fell in love after meeting through work, and and when they bought their home for £285,000, Ms Williams put up £200,000 and Mr Hull £15,000.

But Mr Hull, said the couple hold the house in Kingsfold, near Horsham - which could now be worth as much as £500,000 - in equal shares.

Two years ago, Ms Williams offered to settle the dispute for £38,340 on the basis that Mr Hull owned 12% of the house.

At the High Court on Thursday, Mr Hull scored an early victory in the legal war when a judge found in his favour on a preliminary matter, ruling that a "without prejudice" letter he wrote to Ms Williams in October 2007 could not be used in evidence.

The case will return to court at a date to be fixed.