A florist who was summoned to court to remove a bench from outside his shop has criticised the council for wasting money.

Stephen Lowndes was taken to court by Brighton and Hove City Council after he refused to move the seat outside his shop in Kemptown.

But the local authority agreed to drop the case when Mr Lowndes arrived for the court hearing yesterday - if the bench was moved just a metre to one side.

Now the 43-year-old has hit out at the council for spending time and money on him.

Mr Lowndes, of Albion Hill, Brighton, said: "I shudder to think how much council taxpayers' money has been wasted on this.

"It is about time the council started spending money on something important.

"I just wanted the bench to be left where it was and I'm happy I've got the result I want.

"Everybody uses the bench and I could not understand why the council wanted to kill community spirit."

The bench was given to the owner of Planted by HIV support group Open Door in 2004 after he planted a tree outside his shop to mark World Aids Day.

The council asked Mr Lowndes early last year to remove the bench from the corner of Camelford Street because officials said it was blocking the pavement.

Mr Lowndes puts the seat out at the start of every day and takes it in every evening.

300 people signed a petition in favour of keeping the seat when Mr Lowndes was asked by the council to remove it.

The council has agreed to move the Camelford Street sign from its post and erect it on the wall which would free up space for the bench.

Norman Saddler, 88, lives in Camelford Street and has mobility problems after two hip operations.

He said: "The bench is indispensable to me. I use it to rest halfway when I walk from my house to the shops.

"It's not a very long journey but it would be impossible for me to make it all the way without stopping."

Eileen Remedios, who also lives in Camelford Street said: "The mind boggles as to why the council have tried to stop the shop from providing something which is so useful to the community."

Brighton and Hove City Council backed down after discussions with Mr Lowndes solicitor, Romany Mark Bruce of Woolley Bevis Diplock.

A council spokeswoman said: "We had to take action because the bench was taking up about half the pavement on Camelford Street, meaning wheelchair users were not be able to get past.

"The council has been in further discussion with Mr Lowndes' solicitor and hopefully with a bit of goodwill on both sides the problem can be resolved to everyone's satisfaction."

What do you think? Should the council have taken Mr Lowndes to court over his bench? Add your comments below.