Onchan ratepayers have been left to foot a legal bill for thousands of pounds which was totally avoidable.

That's according to Rae Hamilton, the leaseholder of Kennedy's Lounge and Squash Club, in Onchan Park.

He says he was left with no other option than to take the local authority to court because of its handling of lease renewal negotiations for the facility.

The Island's High Court ruled in his favour and ordered the board to pay full costs and be liable for their own.

Mr Hamilton says that adds up to a lot of money and told Manx Radio:

"The legal costs I would put in the order of ?10,000.

"There have been six courts hearings, a lot of preparation work done by our own advocates, and no doubt by their advocates, and everything else that's to do with the preparation of a court case."

The Chairman of Onchan Commissioners Derek Crellin declined to be interviewed.

The board has issued a statement through its clerk saying it would be wrong to comment as legal proceedings are underway to settle the terms of the lease.

(Picture: The offices of Onchan District Commissioners).