THE man accused of holding Peterstone villagers "to ransom" over his demands for access rights over common land today hit back at his critics.

The Lord Marcher of Trellech - also known as Cardiff businessman Mark Robert, or Mark Tudor - told the Argus his letter to residents may have been misleading, after reports suggested he was demanding up to nine percent of their property values.

Mr Roberts is demanding a payment from Peterstone residents for access to their homes, claiming he owns land outside the houses.

Over the past two weeks, Mr Roberts said, he has been attacked by everyone from the Daily Mail and GMTV to Richard and Judy - and branded an "extortionist", even a "terrorist" .

"I am not the sort of person who is embarrassed by adverse publicity. The people who have taken this to the local and national media have created a blight on the village," he claimed.

Now he has written again to residents explaining his demands.

For people living in houses built before 1905 the fee is under a quarter of 1%; for those in houses built pre-1930 the fee is 0.5% and rises to 1.85% for houses built after 1930. The nine percent figures applies only to recently-built houses, he said.

"I am using legislation brought in by Parliament in 2000 and one that is used by local authorities, the National Assembly, the National Trust and other landowners.

"I appreciate that these percentages were not highlighted in the original letter but the legislation referred to is on the Internet."

Mr Roberts says he did not buy his title, Lord Marcher of Trellech, as has been claimed, but inherited it from a great uncle. He says he acquired the deeds to Broadstreet Common through a property deal.

"I do not understand why politicians and AMs are going on about manorial law. It has nothing to do with my title," he said

Now he is taking his fight to Newport council over ownership of the land.

"I think the council made an error which should have been picked up. I am prepared to take them to court.

"I also think that a lot of people will be able to reclaim this fee because of either the council's or conveyancers' negligence."

But cabinet member Councillor Graham Dally said: "We have it on our records as registered to the highway authority. There is no way we are going to give that land up.

"After taking legal advice the council will not dispute the ownership of other parts of the land as the records are too old."