RALLYING calls have come for a community to support a stricken campaigner who is facing a £24,000 legal bill.

John James, 78, chairman of the Five Links Residents Association, was one of the organisers of the campaign to stop Basildon Council renaming the roads and re-numbering the houses on the Five Links estate, in Laindon.

Mr James was selected to represent more than 400 residents as they successfully challenged Basildon Council over the plans at at a Magistrates’ Court hearing last April.

However, their victory was short-lived when the authority won on appeal at the High Court, which has seen the campaigners rack up £24,000 in legal debts.

His wife, Joan, believes that it was the debts that left her husband in Basildon Hospital following a serious stroke.

Frank Ferguson, Ukip councillor for Lee Chapel North, who has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with residents campaigning to stop the controversial renaming, has urged residents to back a fundraising page launched to help Mr James.

The JustGiving page, set up by Basildon resident David Keeble this month, has raised £1,305 so far.

Mr Ferguson, who covered the group’s £7,000 legal bill following the Magistrates’ Court hearing, says he will continue to challenge the council.

He said: “John was selected to front the fight, as it made more sense in court to have a figurehead.

“So he wasn’t the only one fighting this. We were successful in the Magistrates’ Court, however the council took us to the High Court.

“In an ideal world, we would have wished to have settled out of court.

“Unfortunately, once the case went to the High Court, we had no choice but to defend it.

“John was not the only one who fought this, so he should not be expected to pay this on his own.”

Basildon Council believes re-numbering and renaming streets will help emergency services who have struggled to find their way around the estate, previously nicknamed Alcatraz for its fortress-like appearance.

For information, visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/John-James-24000-demand