A RADCLIFFE politician has finally settled his paper bill to his newsagent which he had not paid for 18 months.

Mr Bryn Hackley, who stood in last year's General Election and last week announced he had quit the Liberal Democrat party and defected to Labour, has settled the bill for £124.12.

But it was not before newsagent David Barclay, who runs his shop in Bolton Road with his wife, Julie, had persistently pursued Mr Hackley for the debt to be paid, eventually going to court.

"We got a judgement against him by the small claims court last July, but he still didn't pay a penny," said Mr Barclay.

"I thought it was disgusting that someone like this should be held up as a model citizen."

Mr Hackley (32), of Higher Dean Street, had a weekly order for The Times, The Economist, TV Times and a magazine.

"As with all our other customers we sent out his bill every four weeks, but from January 2001 he simply didn't pay. We kept sending reminders and I went round to his home on several occasions and his partner said she would tell him. But nothing happened."

"At court, I asked that he pay £40 on a monthly basis and the court agreed this was fair. But the money was not paid. I was absolutely livid."

When asked about his longstanding unpaid bill, Mr Hackley said: "It was a basic misunderstanding. I was under the impression the bill had been paid. My partner, Victoria, has since paid the full £124.12 and I apologise for any upset caused."