COUNCIL chiefs could soon find themselves in court again with old adversary, TV personality Noel Edmonds, the Citizen can exclusively reveal.

As the battle of Blobby rumbles on beleaguered officers have once again incurred the wrath of the star and could end up in the libel courts.

The argument centres around a statement made in a "comprehensive" report into the whole affair by chief executive David Corker in April and it is understood that officers have been asked to either retract or modify the remarks regarding Edmonds' company, Unique.

Neither side is keen to get involved in any further court proceedings but informed sources stressed that Unique is determined to maintain its good name and reputation. This latest news will come as a major blow to town hall mandarins who have endured a stressful time over the whole Blobby affair and have already suffered a mauling at the hands of Edmonds' lawyers.

It is not the first time that statements issued from the town hall have been questioned. In addition to the huge sums paid out over Crinkley Bottom the council also had to shell out around £11,000 for defamatory remarks made about Edmonds' chief executive, Paul Pascoe, several years ago. Insurance cover provided some protection from the impact of that action and it is possible that, should things not be settled amicably, may do again however its case would have to be strong and there is a possibility that this time councillors themselves may be left with the bill. This would undoubtedly come as a shock to members who it appears once again had not been informed of the dispute until this week.

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