Keighley businessman Mark Geldard says he is being blackmailed and threatened by the Child Support Agency, despite doing all he can to provide for his ten-year-old son.

Mr Geldard, 38, has been presented with a claim for more than £5,000 in unpaid child support for part of last year, and has been told he faces legal action if he does not pay.

A final threat of imprisonment or loss of his driving licence is made in the CSA's latest letter.

"The bill they have sent me works out at £110 a week, which is just ridiculous," said Mr Geldard, of Prospect Mount. "It doesn't take into account what I already spend.

"I pick my son up from school on Friday and have him all weekend, as well as half the school holidays. I pay for his school dinners and for all his clothes, as well as £50 a month towards the bills. And I probably have him for as much of the time as his mother does."

Mr Geldard, who has his own excavation and landfill site business, had his HGV licence taken away after losing an eye in an accident six years ago. "Now they are threatening to take my car licence as well," he added. "If they do that I won't be able to pick my son up or get to work. Where is the sense in that?

"I already spend a fortune on my son. I totally spoil him and get him anything he wants within reason. I bought him a motor bike when he was five, and when he grew out of that last year I bought him another one. He has radio controlled cars and even a radio controlled helicopter."

Mr Geldard and his partner split up six years ago, and his ex partner has since married.

"I will not give in. The amount I owe is irrelevant. I have had visits from CSA officers and asked how much they wanted me to pay, but they won't come up with a figure," he said.

"They want to see my business accounts, so obviously it's a case of the more I have, the more they want. They believe my son should have the same standard of living whether he is with me or with his mother, but why should I be paying more to subsidise his mother and her husband? If they come into some money will they be paying to improve my standard of living?

"I couldn't do more for my son than I already do. I believe the whole thing should be sorted out once and for all in court."

A spokesman for the CSA confirmed that imprisonment or loss of driving licence were among the ultimate sanctions available if money or information was not forthcoming.

"We are obviously not able to comment on individual cases, but the person concerned does need to co-operate with the CSA to make sure a proper arrangement for payment is made," said the spokesman.

"Obviously we don't want imprisonment because that is not in the best interests of the child, but some arrangement does need to be made."