A BUSINESSMAN who has accused a heavy handed sales team representing Bromsgrove District Council of using bully-boy tactics to make him buy advertising space in a publication, has been threatened with court action if he does not pay up within seven days.

Kevin Ricketts, boss of A.W.G plumbing and pipework services in Redditch, has been inundated with calls and letters from publishing company McMillan Scott, representing the council, since he was approached by a sales employee in October last year, requesting if he wanted to advertise his business in a planning services publication.

After what he claims to be a heavy handed telesales call from a Melissa Healey, Kevin agreed to fork out £400 to advertise his business in the council's planning services guide but a couple of weeks later changed his mind and decided to withdraw his advert.

Kevin said: "Initially I thought it was quite good value for money, but I decided my money would go further if I advertised in different places rather than putting all my eggs in one basket.

"I never contemplated for a minute that I would have any problems doing this."

He decided to fax the company but they refused to withdraw the advert and repeatedly sent him letters requesting what typeface he required for the advert.

"They said it was too late to withdraw as they had put it on a page, but they obviously hadn't if they kept asking me for details on the typesetting," Kevin added.

The Redditch resident ignored the letters until he received a telephone call last Tuesday threatening him with court action if he did not pay the outstanding amount.

Company deputy managing director Scott Mascheder said: "We have a private contract with the advertiser but it is my job to ensure that each case is dealt with amicably.

"I will speak to Mr Ricketts personally to try to resolve the problem."