A WELL-KNOWN Rights of Way campaigner is vowing to fight an £80 fine served to him by police for criminal damage to a golf club and jacket.

Dr Clive Mowforth, 49 of Dursley, was walking with his dog on Stinchcombe Hill early morning on Sunday, August 20 when he alleges a group of golfers set upon him in what he claims was an unprovoked attack.

"I was walking down the public footpath which runs the length of the eighteenth fairway when I noticed a yellow marker on the footpath.

"I moved it to one side and carried on and passed by the golfers and one of them rammed their trolley into my dog," said Dr Mowforth.

Dr Mowforth claims the two men then exchanged words but soon the altercation turned violent.

He said: "He had a golf club in his hand and I feared he would hit me."

Gloucestershire Police were called to the scene and arrested a 58-year-old man who was later released without charge.

Dr Mowforth who suffered injuries to his elbow and right ear during the attack has been served with a £80 fixed penalty for criminal damage to a golf club and golf jacket.

Dr Mowforth is criticising the police's handling of the incident and said the criminal damage was self-defence.

He said: "They are making out that I attacked the golfer.

"How do they expect a slight man like myself to approach 20 golfers all with golf clubs and start a fight."

Dr Mowforth now plans to appeal against the fixed penalty. He has 21 days to make his appeal.

He said: "I am going to fight this one all the way. I could pay the £80 but I am going to take it to court and challenge it."

Dr Mowforth has pratically declared war on the golf club and feels so strongly about footpath issues at Stinchcombe Hill, particularly the Cotswold Way, that he has even built a website around the issue.

He also campaigns for the rail users group Coaley Junction Action Group.

Stinchcombe Hill Golf Club told the Gazette this week that they did not wish to make a comment at this time.