A BUSINESSMAN is threatening to sue Lancashire police for a three-year unpaid debt for storing three vehicles which had been involved in crimes.

Last year Raymond Stansfield successfully took Lancashire Police to court and was awarded nearly £50,000 including costs for a stolen Mitsubishi Shogun and two trailers which he had stored in his three-storey mill off Farholme Lane, Stacksteads, since 1995.

It is understood Lancashire Police bosses believed Mr Stansfield was storing the vehicle voluntarily and they did not believe there was any agreement to pay him.

Mr Stansfield now runs his vehicle recovery business R & M Stansfield from Tile Street, Bury. He moved his business because the site at Stacksteads was repeatedly subjected to vandalism and arson attacks.

He said: "We have served notice on Lancashire Constabulary for an unpaid bill of £20,000. That covers the storage of three vehicles for the past three years -- a Leyland truck, a Ford Sierra which had been involved in a armed robbery on Flax Moss Post Office in Helmshore and an Austin Metro. They had all been involved in various crimes around Rossendale and we had been asked to collect the vehicles and store them.

"My solicitor has billed the police but they have not paid it and so I will be looking to sue them to recover the money."

A Lancashire police spokesman said: "We have received a further demand from Mr Stansfield. The matter is being considered by the constabulary."