A father-of-six was today facing a £25,000 bill after his bid to overturn an election result failed.

Jamshed Khan, who lost out to a Labour rival in the Little Horton Ward at Bradford Council election in May, challenged the result at London's High Court, claiming a "simple counting error" had deprived him of a seat.

The case triggered a major recount before a top court official on October 23, but Labour candidate Taj Mubarik Salam had his victory in the poll confirmed by a slightly increased majority.

As a result, Conservative Mr Khan, of Russell Street, Bradford, had his challenge dismissed by Mr Justice Morland and Mr Justice Richards yesterday.

He was ordered to pay the legal costs of the case, which were said in court to be estimated at about £25,000.

But Khan's lawyer, Isaac Khan, attacked the legal costs bills as "grossly exaggerated" and said they would be disputed.

Coun Salam's lawyer, Anthony Hudson, said his legal costs came to more than £11,000 and Philip Coppel, representing returning officer Ian Stewart said the Council's costs, had been estimated at £14,500. Mr Khan was ordered to pay £2,500 costs immediately and the final amount will be formerly assessed later.

In an electoral petition lodged after the election, Mr Khan said he had firm evidence there had been a crucial counting error on the night of the poll.

The result declared at that time was a total of 3,745 were cast and Mr Khan polled 1,297 votes against 1,903 counted for Councillor Salam. There was a 37 per cent turnout for the poll.

But the recount held behind closed doors at London's Royal Court of Justice gave a result of 1,298 votes for Mr Khan and 1,911 for Councillor Salam - an increase of eight.

The result meant Mr Khan's petition was "doomed to fail" and he accepted he had to pay the action's legal costs, Mr Justice Richards added.

Councillor Salam said today: "I am very happy with the result, and especially that I had eight extra votes. I want to thank the officers who were involved and my supporters are also going to be delighted."

He said he believed Mr Khan would have to pay the costs of his own legal team and could face a total bill as high as £36,000.

Bradford Council's Chief Executive Ian Stewart, who was also returning officer, said: "I am pleased the work done by our staff has been confirmed. They did an excellent job."