A Bradford company is locked in a legal battle with the Council over suspected demolition damage.

Derelict buildings on the corner of Manningham Lane and Clifton Street have been demolished by Bradford Council following a compulsory purchase order.

But the owners of export and import company Leonard Stevenson Ltd in Clifton Street say the work has left their end wall exposed and are calling on the Council to re-render it.

Michelle Stevenson said: "The gable end has been left in a right mess and it looks dreadful.

"If we get a lot of rain we will be snookered. The Council has carried out the work so we feel it should be them who put it right.

"It will cost about £3,500 to have it sorted out but we don't see why we should have to pay if we haven't caused the damage."

Miss Stevenson said there was about £1million worth of stock, made up of silk flowers and kitchenware, on the premises.

Geraldine Howley, the Council's housing director, said about eight houses along Clifton Street and Manningham Lane were found to be structurally defective and unfit for use.

They were built in 1888 and the mill where Leonard Stevenson is based was built 20 years later.

She added: "The Council has been contacted by solicitors acting for Leonard Stevenson, owner of commercial premises at 6, Clifton Street, Manningham, Bradford.

"The authority has responded to correspondence from the solicitors and is awaiting their reply."

The Council sub-contracted the demolition work to Russell Stone Merchants of Queens Road, Bradford.