The so-called "Metric Martyr" announced his decision to continue his legal battle yesterday. Mr Thoburn was given a six-month conditional discharge for breaching Weights and Measures regulations earlier this month. His prosecution, the first of its kind in Britain, was brought by Sunderland City Council's trading standards' department. Mr Thoburn, 36, of Association Road, Roker, had denied two charges of using scales which had not been officially approved because they were unable to weigh in metric � a requirement of European law. His appeal could be heard at the Divisional Court, in London, in the autumn. But it will only go ahead if �500,000 is raised through a fighting fund set up to protect Mr Thoburn against legal costs. The fund, which has received donations from across the world, currently stands at just over �100,000. The father-of-two said he had decided to continue with the support of wife Leigh. He said: "People have asked me to pursue this further and I don't mean from any political party whatsoever, I mean just general people, my customers, people in the street. "I want to take it further to try and clear my name in this ridiculous thing. "My wife wants me to do this more than anybody because she has had unbelievable support. "She has had phone calls at home saying �stand by him, he is only doing what he feels is right for everybody�." A Sunderland City Council spokesman said: "We are aware of reports that Mr Thoburn intends to appeal so we will await receipt of legal papers. "As this means the case is continuing we don't think it is appropriate to comment further." �Published: 28.4.01�� Northeast Press Ltd
