against his client.

The notice was issued against Mr. Frederick Pereech, in a preliminary step towards issuing full bankruptcy proceedings. Mr. Pereech runs the Donut House, in Hamilton, and the Esso gas station in Crawl.

However, yesterday his attorney, Mr. Kieron Unwin issued a statement saying the notice, served by Mr. Pereech's ex-wife's attorneys, was "wholly inappropriate''.

Mr. Unwin said: "In May 1995 in matrimonial proceedings in the Supreme Court my client was ordered to pay a lump sum to his ex-wife.

"That order is under appeal and an appeal should be heard in November. It is therefore totally inappropriate to begin bankruptcy proceedings against my client and I will apply to have them dismissed, which I can do under the law.'' The bankruptcy notice was issued as a first step towards getting payment for Mr. Pereech's ex-wife.