A KNUTSFORD councillor has been declared bankrupt, leaving an art company who he was in dispute with out of pocket.

Clr David Lever, of Legh Road, Knutsford, was issued with the order at a hearing in Manchester last week.

As well as having to face the order Clr Lever has been in dispute with Alan Holmes, who owns an international art services company in Chelford, for the past 18 months.

The disagreement centres around work carried out to frame 100 pieces of memorabilia at Clr Lever’s Knutsford home.

Clr Lever paid the business £10,000 and believed that is what was agreed but was ordered to pay the remaining £3,500 owed to Mr Holmes by a county court judge in March.

Mr Holmes received a High Court notice of seizure in his favour on June 21, but due to Mr Lever being made bankrupt will not be able to see any of the money he is owed.

“I didn’t think for a minute I would get any money back,” he said.

“All the money it cost me to go to court, all the judgements in my favour and I have ended up with nothing.

“What I am annoyed about is that even a High Court notice of seizure was ignored.

“How can they do that? I have been told that because it was a bankruptcy then that is the way it works.

“I’m not very happy at all.”

The Guardian attempted to contact Clr Lever, but he was unavailable for comment.

The bankruptcy order was issued on Monday, July 5, at Manchester County Court.

Clr Lever’s discharge has been set at July 5, 2011, meaning from that date he will be released from his debts.

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