ANTI-WAR protester Robin Brookes has had his cheque for back taxes made out to a Government peace initiative turned down by the Collector of Taxes in Swindon.

Mr Brookes, 49, a self-employed toy designer from Market Lavington, withheld ten per cent of his income tax liability in protest against British involvement in the invasion of Iraq last March.

He was summoned to court and told magistrates that he hadn't paid his income tax demand because he did not want to contribute to the killing of innocent civilians.

Magistrates told him he had until January 19 to pay the £550 he owed, plus interest and fines a total of £587.27.

Mr Brookes offered the tax collection office in Farnsby Street a cheque for the sum, made out to the Global Conflict Prevention Pool.

But he was told that, under new regulations, the office could not accept the cheque made out to a government department other than the Inland Revenue.

Mr Brookes said: "I don't know exactly what will happen next. I expect they will send the bailiffs round."