DISTRAUGHT Bewdley businessmen who say life has been like "living on a bomb site in Iraq" since last year's flood devastation fear they could now lose their riverside livelihoods. Mark Leadbetter outside his Bewdley riverside gallery and workshop which has been badly hit by flood problems.

Mark Leadbetter, who runs Severnside Gallery and Frames By Design on Severnside North, is being taken to court by Wyre Forest District Council in a row over taxes.

Mr Leadbetter, who has seen trade fall by 75 per cent since the floods struck last November, says he could be forced out of business if the court authorises the council to collect full business rates from him.

Severnside North has been closed since the start of the flooding and has been blighted by road works as the Environment Agency investigates the possibility of installing a steel flood barrier.

Mr Leadbetter said during this time he had been unable to receive deliveries for his two businesses, which provide employment for three people, and was "physically unable" to pay the business rates set after investing about £100,000 in the gallery and frame workshop since setting up in November.

"We have been affected so drastically by this. We feel like we're banging our heads against a brick wall," he added.

District council officials will tomorrow seek a court order authorising them to collect the business rates due.

Ray Walsh, landlord of The Mug House on Severnside North, said his pub had been closed for four months as a result of the floods.

He is also planning to refuse to pay full business rates. "We'll stick together because we have to. I'm trying to earn a living here but if you're not taking you can't pay your rates," Mr Walsh said.

"The flooding affected us tremendously. The road's been closed down and I feel like we're living in Iraq. It's like a bomb site. We could have to close if they intend to make us pay all this."

But Keith Bannister, the council's head of financial services, said: "We collect these rates on behalf of the Government. We do not set them. Do not think we are not sympathetic - we have to collect the amount demanded by the valuation office."

He said a valuation officer was due to meet Mr Leadbetter today to discuss his businesses' rateable value in the wake of the flooding chaos.

Mr Bannister added: "From the rate authority's point of view, occupation took place in November and no payments at all have been received.

"As a consequence we are following normal recovery procedures."