Crying over spilt milk

THERE is no use crying over spilt milk, the saying goes. But what if it costs you £18,000?

That's the question facing a Scottish couple who have been left with a substantial legal bill after losing a five-day trial that centred on an alleged milk stain on an Egyptian silk rug.

Property developers Duncan and Sandee Gregson took the rug home "on approval" in September 2005 but tried to return it two months later.

However, shop owner Mervat Walton noticed a stain on the rug and took the couple to court to force them to pay.

The dispute centred on whether the stain was from milk, as Mrs Walton claimed, or the result of the silk rug "shimmering" in certain light, which was the Gregsons' defence. Sheriff Robert McCreadie ruled in the shopkeeper's favour and ordered the couple to pay the full price of £3,500.

They were also ordered to pay the cost of the case at Perth Sheriff Court.

Last night, Mrs Gregson, 48, said fighting the court case had left her and her husband £18,000 out of pocket. She added: "I wish we could appeal but we can't afford it. We still haven't got the rug back because it is at the court. We will probably sell the bloody thing because I don't want to look at it anymore. It is driving us insane."