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They printed an original version of the first leaflet then refused to release it when they read what it contained.

The order had been placed by a man driving an Aaron Scargill vehicle. The proofs were passed in the small hours of the morning by a woman driving a black Freelander bearing the Aaron Scargill branding.

Two days after the first leaflet finally hit the streets, St George v the Dragon had gone glossy. A 48-page production was distributed to newsagents across Nottingham and was on sale for 20p. It included the same lies about the Evening Post.

A week later the magazine came out again, this time priced 40p, and made libellous claims about Nottingham City Council and its role in giving planning permission to the Evening Post's castle Wharf building. Aaron Scargill staff made the arrangements for its distribution around the city centre.

It brought an outraged response from the council's head of corporate affairs Caroline McKinlay.

She said: "There is no evidence to support such bizarre claims about the Evening Post's planning application for its award-winning headquarters building.

"The council respects the right of responsible media to ask questions about our activities and it is irresponsible to suggest that we reached a planning decision to avoid negative press coverage. The Evening Post's planning application, like every other, was considered on its merits and in accordance with planning regulations."

St George v the Dragon was originally handed to newsagents to sell - but Aaron Scargill then decided to hand the libellous magazine out for free, pretending it was merely a property guide.

Newsagents reacted angrily to the publication, refusing to give it to their customers.

Estate agents in the city were also horrified.

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