Trabant collector 'to keep' cars

Mr Goodall now plans to extend his collection

A car collector is facing criminal proceedings for refusing to meet a deadline to remove them from his orchard.

Graham Goodall had until Monday to remove most of his Trabants from Middleton-by-Youlgreave, Derbyshire.

The Peak District National Park says the cars have to go because they are an eyesore.

Mr Goodall says the collection of 49 cars is the largest private collection of Trabants in the world.

Workers' cars

A spokesman for the authority said: "We won't be taking action straight away, but are now considering how to progress with the matter.

"Starting criminal proceedings against Mr Goodall and holding a hearing at magistrates' court is an option, but no decision has yet been made."

But the enthusiast said he had no intention of reducing what he claims is the largest private collection of the model in the world.

Instead he said he planned to buy more of the vehicles, which were originally built for workers in the former Community East Germany.

Mr Goodall said: "I have been informed by my solicitors that the authority had no legal right to issue the enforcement notice and I have written to them to emphasise that point.

"If they do take me to court, I will now take this case to the local ombudsman and, if necessary, on to the Deputy Prime Minister and the European Court of Human Rights."