A council has been forced to pay thousands of pounds in housing benefit to a man who spends almost three months a year in the south of Spain.

Glenn Vye Parminter, 53, faced eviction from his home in Durrington Gardens, Worthing, because of unpaid rent.

But a repossession hearing was yesterday told the debt built up because of Worthing Borough Council.

The council lost a legal challenge against paying Mr Vye Parminter's rent at a tribunal last November despite having what it called "clear evidence" that Worthing was not his main home.

While an appeal was being drawn up, the council refused to continue payments.

It only agreed to pay the £8,800 owed a few days ago.

After yesterday's judgement, Mr Vye Parminter, who is on income support, said the legal row had caused him three years of worry.

He said: "I willingly admit I go to southern Spain for holidays about five or six times a year for two weeks at a time.

"I'm very lucky because I have a friend who lets me stay for free. I have a bad back and the sun helps."

Under law, a tenant can spend up to 13 weeks a year abroad and still claim housing benefit.

District Judge John Robinson criticised the council for "wilfully ignoring" thetribunal's decision.

Mr Vye Parminter was taken to court yesterday by Mark Hodson, director of Engleton, for rent arrears.

The court heard how he took his case to the tribunal in November after losing an appeal against the council in June last year.

Judge Robinson said: "I'm concerned because a decision was made by an independent tribunal that benefit was payable.

"The local benefits authority appeared to be wilfully ignoring that decision. That to my mind is a matter of grave public concern. Mr Vye Parminter was at risk from losing his home and the landlord, totally innocent in all this, was without his money."

The judge then read out a letter from the council which said: "The council shares the concerns of the judge and following legal advice the arrears of £8,803.93 have been paid in full."

Mr Vye Parminter will now be paid £80.77 housing benefit a week.

Simon Aley, head of the council's legal services, said after the case: "We have clear evidence Mr Vye Parminter has a principal residence in Spain."

He said the council would be appealing against the tribunal decision to the social security commissioner.