A WATCHET man, who was made to pay council tax for sleeping in his own garage, is celebrating this week after successfully appealing against the charge.

After his marriage broke up, 67-year-old carpenter Steve Toth, who lives in West Street, started sleeping on a fold-up camp bed in the garage adjoining his former Bay View house.

He told the County Gazette: "I separated from my wife and began sleeping on the camp bed .

"I used the garage as a workshop so it was full of tools and wood."

Mr Toth said he only meant to use the garage as a temporary base while he was seeking new housing.

But as the workshop contained a toilet, shower and small kitchenette, the valuation office at West Somerset Council said that it would be liable for council tax as it was deemed a separate property.

Mr Toth said: "I only lived in the garage from May to November so I couldn't believe it when I received a council tax bill.

"I owned the house - I thought it was a joke!

"I was so angry I decided to appeal against the charge."

And he received good news last week when he heard he had won his appeal and would be receiving a re-bate on the money he has paid.

In a letter to Mr Toth, the district council confirmed that the council tax charge would be repaid shortly.

The council official offered his ap-ologies for any distress or inconveni-ence caused by the matter.

But Mr Toth who is currently in hospital awaiting heart bypass surgery, claims the stress of the situation contributed to his ill health over the past year.

He commented: "It has been a very difficult time -I have had six heart attacks.

"I am pleased the situation has been sorted but it should never have gone that far."