A battling mechanic who has fought to keep his business open for 13 years is still trading despite his eviction date passing this week.

Richard Hough had been ordered by a high court judge to leave the South Norwood site by Monday to allow developers to bulldoze it.

But his car repair firm Autoclutch remains open for business after he lodged a Supreme Court appeal against Greathall Ltd's plans to build flats on the plot in Station Road.

Mr Hough, who has worked at the garage for 40 years,: "So many people assume that I have gone but I've not. I won't go down without a fight.

"I just want to thank people for their overwhelming support."

Developers have drawn up plans to build 11 flats and two shops on the site and began demolishing buildings around Autoclutch last year.

Greathall bought the land on which the garage sits from Railtrack for £112,000 in 2001. It first unveiled proposals for a housing development in 2003 but failed to secure planning permission until 2011.

No date for a Supreme Court hearing has yet been set.