A BUSINESSMAN is fuming after an expansion plan he says could create 100 new jobs has been held up by a dispute with a watchdog body.

Peter Hutcheon's Lostock firm CD Pages Ltd is locked in a dispute with the telephone and fax regulator ICSTIS - The Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone Information Services.

And he has vowed to pursue his case through the courts if his plans are blocked.

The dispute which has been running since July last year centres around the cost of call charges used on a premium rate fax line. Mr Hutcheon is planning to publish a CD Rom, called the British Business Directory, which he claims would provide a more comprehensive service for firms than existing directories.

But to register their details firms must send a form to a premium rate fax line, charged at £1.50 per minute. Returning the form can take up to four minutes.

ICSTIS said it was too expensive and ordered calls to be charged at £1 per minute.

But CD Pages Ltd disputed that and work on the directory has been put on hold until the row is resolved.

Mr Hutcheon says he plans to employ 50 telephone and administration staff in Bolton, which could lead to a further 50 jobs later in the year.

Mr Hutcheon said: "We are in business to make money, but we can also create jobs for local people. It is so frustrating to be held up by some watchdog."

He added: "We believe what firms are getting for their money is extremely good value. And at the end of the day, if they don't want to do it, they don't need to send the fax."

ICSTIS ruled that in addition to charging £1.50 rates without permission there was misleading promotional material, unreasonable delays in providing evidence when the CD directory would be available and inadequate pricing information.

The watchdog's complaints panel was due to re-assess the situation today.

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