THE millionaire boss of Flamingo Land has banned three Ryedale councillors from the theme park and warned the district council that if what he calls a 'ridiculous smear campaign' does not end he will take legal action.

Gordon Gibb threatened the action after complaints by a Scarborough animal welfare activitist were lodged with Ryedale District Council, which licenses the park, about the conditions in which the animals were kept in the zoo.

The concerns have been raised at two recent council meetings - the last of which was a full council meeting at the end of last month which Mr Gibb attended and called for an end to the matter.

It was after this that councillors John Clark (Liberal) and Howard and Di Keal (both Liberal Democrat), two of whom had visited the theme park to carry out an inspection as a result of the complaints, received Mr Gibb's letter banning them from the site.

In it, he told them that they had been "placed on Flamingo Land's prohibition list" adding: "For the purposes of clarity this means that you are no longer welcome to visit Flamingo Land or Pleasure Island theme park at Cleethorpes".

He has accused the councillors of having a "disruptive and de-motivating influence" on the attraction and says they are "totally biased" towards Flamingo Land.

He warns that a copy of the letter has been sent to the park's police liaison officer and should the councillors be discovered at the park, it may well be interpreted as behaving in a manner which could result in a breach of the peace.

"I would remind you that we have the civil right to physically remove you and we will not hesitate to exercise this should the need arise."

Yesterday, Mr Gibb told the Gazette & Herald: "I am of the opinion that the councillors are fundamentally anti-Flamingo Land."

He said he had been offended when the councillors had gone on the inspection to the theme park and used it "as a springboard to make outrageous remarks" after enjoying his hospitality.

Mr Gibb said that while everyone was entitled to their views, he believed the councillors had been unprofessional.

"Flamingo Land is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Britain. We think we should get some constructive help from the council."

Mr Gibb says he is the victim of smear campaign and has told the council he is giving it one last warning before he begins a process of litigation. He said he did not want to sue for damages but felt he would be forced to do so if what he calls the ''smear campaign'' did not end.

Concerns about the conditions at Flamingo Land were initially raised at a RDC community and licensing committee meeting last month.

The council has agreed that a full inspection should held at the theme park next May or June by independent experts.

In the meantime, the council agreed to support the zoo's management in its plans to continue its policy of improvement at Flamingo Land.

The three councillors banned from the site said they were stunned to receive the letter from Mr Gibb. Coun Clark said: "Questions have been asked about the zoo. They are still unanswered.

''My main criticism is of the council for taking so long in not completely answering the questions from the public."

Coun Clark added that when he visited the zoo he believed it had "vastly improved" but he had questions.

"It is not up to the zoo or anyone else to try and prevent those questions being asked," he added.

Coun Howard Keal said the councillors were barred from the site even though RDC was the licensing authority. "We have a duty to ensure it is acting responsibly."

He added that the councillors had been threatened even before they attempted to make a visit to Flamingo Land.

"Telling people they have been warned is not the way to win friends and influence people. What we need to see is that the concerns which have been raised are being answered and we are asking for a timescale for the improvements required.

"It is an important attraction and employer and I agree it has made considerable progress.

"There is still more to be done and it should take those concerns on board instead of acting like a playground bully. We will not be intimidated into silence."

Ryedale's chief executive, Harold Mosley, said: "The council does not have it in for Flamingo Land. It is a valuable part of our tourist industry in the district."

The council had received a complaint and was seeking to go through the appropriate and due process to investigate it. "We will do that without fear of favour, and completely impartially," he said.

Updated: 14:55 Wednesday, July 13, 2005