Bono in court over Stetson battle

Bono said the stylist's behaviour was "eccentric"

U2 singer Bono has appeared in a Dublin court in a dispute over memorabilia, including a Stetson hat he wore on the cover of the Rattle and Hum album.

Former stylist Lola Cashman has launched an appeal to keep items which she claims were given to her.

Last year she was successfully sued for the return of the items, which date from the Joshua Tree tour of 1987.

Bono praised Ms Cashman's work but said she had taken "unprofessional" advantage of her time with the band.

When he took the stand Bono, real name Paul Hewson, described the case as futile and embarrassing.

'Defamatory' letters

"We have tried to avoid this bizarre situation for many years," he said.

"She likes this. We don't. There isn't much of a case here from our point of view. It's our stuff, she has it, and a lot more beside. We want our stuff back. We want her to stop selling it."

The 46-year-old singer said Ms Cashman was an "eccentric" who used to wear the band's clothing but was tolerated for her styling talent.

She left after nine months but was discovered to have belongings from the band in 1992.

In 2002, Ms Cashman put some of the items up for sale at Christie's. She claims two letters sent to the auction house from U2 lawyers seeking their return were defamatory.

She has since started proceedings against the band in the High Court in London and maintains the band's claim for the items was brought to stop the defamation case.