A council has revealed the full cost of its recent battles with Garsington Opera.

South Oxfordshire District Council has spent £45,852 and 549 hours of officers' time fighting the appeals, but won none of the cases.

Garsington Opera is an open-air month-long summer opera festival at Leonard Ingrams' home, the Jacobean Garsington Manor.

Developments there for extra performances and extra places have been consistently opposed by people living nearby and Garsington Parish Council.

When the district council has refused planning applications, Garsington Opera founder Mr Ingrams has appealed to the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions as well as local magistrates or the High Court.

The council's record on appeals was set out by leader Cllr Jan Morgan following a request by Conservative group leader Cllr Ann Ducker.