Oxford City Council has been left with a £150,000 legal bill, despite winning a case brought by a member of the public about its accounts.

Joe Hannigan, 59, an accountant, of Western Road, Grandpont, Oxford, formally objected to the council's 1996/1997 accounts, claiming it had spent money on highways projects that it was not legally entitled to.

But the District Auditor has ruled the council acted legally.

The £150,000 cost of fighting the case to date included paying the District Auditor for the time he had spent investigating the claims.

At yesterday's strategy and resources committee, Cllr Alex Hollingsworth, leader of the Labour group, said: "It is a shame that it has taken so long to lift the threat from this authority. The council taxpayers of this city have paid a lot for one man's ego trip."

Mr Hannigan is considering appealing against the District Auditor's decision. He claims his challenge forced the city to decide to pass responsibility for the bulk of its highways work to the county council.