A rebel pensioner is refusing to pay the legal bill for removing derelict cars from his land.

Adur District Council is demanding £4,300 from Victor Causabon-Vincent to cover their costs.

But the 73-year-old retired engineer has told council bosses: "I don't have that sort of money and you can't take the shirt off a naked man's back."

Mr Causabon-Vincent has been involved in a long-running dispute with the council and his neighbours over access to a strip of land at the side of his home.

He has been jailed nine times and is the subject of antisocial behaviour orders (Asbos) which prevent him from threatening neighbours and council staff.

They also ban him from keeping more than four cars at the detached bungalow in Hillrise Avenue, Sompting.

At one stage the pensioner had up to 14 cars in his front garden and the land alongside, which he insists belongs to him.

The council won a court order against him and removed all but four of the cars in two stages in 2003 and in December last year.

Mr Causabon-Vincent said: "They have stolen my cars and now they have sent me a bill for doing it.

"I don't have any money and I don't even own the house I live in. I signed that over to my wife years ago but have the right to stay here until I die."

A council spokesman said: "The bill Victor has been sent included the cost of removing nine vehicles in November 2003.

"We removed four more in December last year and he applied for an injunction preventing their disposal, which was refused.

"If he does not pay up we will have to decide if he is worth taking legal action against.

"If not, we could put a charge on his property or we may take proceedings against his ex-wife as owner."